Some staff members of Nigeria Police Schools, who are beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s extension of teachers' retirement age from 60 to 65 years, have lamented the non-payment of their salaries for 33 months.
The affected teachers, speaking in separate interviews with PUNCH Metro on Sunday, disclosed the severe financial hardships they are facing due to unpaid salaries since the extension policy was introduced on January 1, 2021.
Service Extension Policy
The five-year service extension, initiated under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, applies to teachers in police schools, the armed forces, and Federal Government colleges. However, while other institutions implemented the policy promptly, the teachers accused DCP Rabi Umar (retd.), the former Nigeria Police Force Education Officer, of failing to enforce it, leaving them without salaries for nearly three years.
Restored Salaries, Unpaid Arrears
In November 2023, the current Force Education Officer, ACP Ibidapo Oludare, restored their salaries, but the arrears remain unpaid. Teachers further reported unexplained deductions from their restored salaries, ranging from N20,000 to N40,000.
One teacher, identified as Peter, said, “When our salaries were restored, the arrears were not paid. Instead, we began seeing deductions, and no one has explained their purpose. We don’t know what to expect this January.”
Struggling Families
Another teacher, Mrs. Odi, expressed concern about the unpaid arrears, noting that her service extension would end in November 2025, leaving her with no hope of recovering the backlog.
She stated, “I borrowed money to survive when our salaries were stopped. I was hopeful that the arrears would help clear my debts, but nothing has been paid.”
Similarly, Mrs. Awo revealed the devastating impact of the unpaid salaries on her family:
“My unpaid salary amounts to 33 months, from February 2021 to November 2023. During that time, I borrowed heavily and relied on my family for support. They promised to pay, but nothing has been done.”
Calls for Intervention
The teachers are appealing to the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Government to urgently address the issue and ensure the arrears are paid.
Efforts to reach ACP Olubiyi, a senior police officer, for clarification on the matter were unsuccessful, as his phone went unanswered.
This comes as retired staff of Lagos State University of Education also appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for intervention in the non-payment of their 31-month pension arrears, highlighting the growing challenges faced by education sector workers.
