By Joy Odor, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has cautioned retired soldiers staging protests at the Federal Ministry of Finance, insisting that their demands for wage adjustments based on the new minimum wage policy cannot be met because government directives take effect from specified dates only.
Speaking at a by-weekly routine operational briefing on the ongoing military operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday, Major General Markus Kangye, the Director Defence Media Operations informed that the military authorities explained that the protests were tied to grievances over the Creativity and Security Development Allowance (CSDA), which is calculated strictly on the salary chart effective at the time of a soldier’s retirement.
According to Maj Gen. Kangye, the Federal Government approved and implemented a new minimum wage for federal workers on 29 July 2024.
Prior to that date, a pre-minimum wage chart had guided payment computations from 1 January 2024 to 28 July 2024.
“Soldiers who retired within that pre-minimum wage window are demanding that their benefits be recalculated under the new chart. That cannot happen because the policy only came into force from July 29, 2024,” a senior officer explained.
The DDMO lamented that despite several clarifications, some veterans have continued to block access and disrupt normal operations at the Finance Ministry.
While acknowledging their right to peaceful protest, the military hierarchy stressed that such actions must not obstruct government activities.
“Policies have effective dates, and this case cannot be an exception. We urge our veterans to exercise restraint, avoid barricading federal premises, and allow the Ministry of Finance to function,” the Defence Headquarters warned.
Military authorities assured that serving personnel continue to operate under carefully planned and flexible operational strategies, reaffirming their professionalism in safeguarding national security.
