President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Idris Adamu (retd.) as the new Chairman of the Military Pensions Board (MPB), effective December 1, 2025. The decision, announced in an official statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), is part of the Federal Government’s plan to strengthen transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of military pensions.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Segun Imohiosen, the Director of Information and Public Relations in the OSGF. According to him, the appointment underscores the president’s commitment to improving the welfare of retired military personnel who have served the nation in various capacities.
Imohiosen stated that President Tinubu expects the new chairman to bring integrity, patriotism, and financial expertise to the role. “President Tinubu charges the new Chairman to uphold integrity, demonstrate patriotism, and deploy his financial expertise to improve the welfare of military veterans,” the statement read.
In recent years, issues around military pensions have attracted significant public attention. Many retired soldiers and officers across the country have complained about delayed payments, incomplete benefits, and administrative bottlenecks. Protests have been held in Abuja and other cities, with ex-servicemen demanding better treatment and calling on the government to reform the pension system.
The Military Pensions Board, which is responsible for processing and paying pensions to retired members of the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, has often struggled with funding gaps, record-keeping challenges, and allegations of mismanagement. The board also handles gratuities, death benefits, and various forms of support for widows and next-of-kin.
President Tinubu, since taking office in 2023, has made military welfare one of his key priorities. Apart from increasing funding for security operations, he has repeatedly emphasised the need to treat military retirees with dignity. The appointment of AVM Adamu is widely seen as an attempt to inject new leadership into the pension system and address long-standing concerns.
Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Idris Adamu (retd.) is a respected retired senior officer of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). Born in Borno State, he built a career that combined operational experience with strong financial management skills. His background makes him well-positioned to reform the Military Pensions Board, which requires both administrative discipline and financial expertise.
Throughout his military service, Adamu held several important roles. He served as a Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji—one of the highest training institutions for mid-level officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces. His work there involved training officers in leadership, strategy, and operational planning.
He also served as Deputy Director of Budget at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), where he was responsible for managing key financial operations. In addition, he worked as Principal Staff Officer, Finance, at the Air Warfare Centre and served as the Commander of the 081 Pay and Accounting Group, one of the main financial units of the Nigerian Air Force.
Adamu’s expertise in financial management continued to stand out when he became Director of Finance at NAF Headquarters. He later served as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited (NAFIL) and its group of companies. NAFIL is responsible for business ventures that support the welfare of Air Force personnel, including investments in housing, transport, and other commercial activities.
After leaving active service, Adamu joined the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, as a Directing Staff. At NIPSS, he participated in the training of senior professionals, public officials, and leaders from various sectors. His work at the institute further strengthened his understanding of policy development and national strategy.
The appointment of AVM Adamu comes at a crucial time for the Military Pensions Board. Thousands of retired military officers and soldiers rely on the board for their monthly pensions and gratuities. Many of them have spent decades in service, participating in peacekeeping missions, internal security operations, and counterterrorism campaigns—especially in the North-East, where Nigeria continues to battle insurgency.
However, delays in pension payments and administrative mix-ups have caused frustration and hardship for many retirees. Some have accused the board of inefficiency, while others say the system has not kept up with modern digital record-keeping practices.
By appointing a retired officer with strong financial and administrative experience, the Federal Government is signalling a commitment to fixing these problems. Adamu’s experience in budgeting, financial planning, and investment management may help restore confidence in the system and modernise the pension administration process.
According to the statement issued by the OSGF, the government expects the new chairman to “deploy his financial expertise to improve the welfare of military veterans.” This suggests that the government wants reforms that go beyond paying monthly pensions. There may be plans to restructure benefit payments, introduce new support programmes, or expand social welfare opportunities for retired service members.
The call for integrity and patriotism in the statement also indicates that the government expects transparency in how pension funds are managed. Over the years, both retired service members and civil society groups have called for stronger oversight of military funds and better accountability.
While reactions are still emerging, early comments from defence analysts and some military veterans indicate that the appointment is being welcomed. Many believe that a retired senior officer with financial training is exactly the type of leader needed at the Military Pensions Board.
Some veterans have expressed hope that the new leadership will prioritise clearing backlogs and resolving disputes over pension verification exercises. Others say they want the new chairman to streamline documentation procedures, reduce travel burdens for elderly retirees, and embrace digital reforms that can speed up payment processing.
As AVM Abubakar Idris Adamu takes over the Military Pensions Board on December 1, 2025, expectations will be high. Military retirees across the country will be watching to see whether the new leadership can deliver the reforms they have demanded for years.
The task ahead is significant, but so is the responsibility. With his background in financial management, defence budgeting, and strategic leadership, Adamu steps into a role that will require firmness, compassion, and transparency.
