Military Pensions Board Begins New Era, Commences Electronic Verification for Retired Ex-Soldiers; Warns Those who Fail to Participate will Not be Paid Pensions.

For thousands of retired soldiers and veterans of the armed forces of Nigeria, relief has come their way as the Military Pensions Board has commenced electronic verification exercise for retires.

In recent years, several military pensioner especially the elderly retirees have died while queueing up for such exercise or have been involved in road accident while traveling long distances partake in the exercise.

Chairman, Military Pensions Board, Air Vice Marshal Paul Irumheson while making this known on Friday noted that a pilot project carried out by the MPB on 2,000 retirees turned out very successful as only 15 persons had issues that were later rectified.

AVM Irumhese disclosed that the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa expressed satisfaction with the pilot project and approved the electonic verification.

Consquently, Irumheson said, “You may recall that on 15 Feb 2024, I briefed the media about the MPB intention or plan to move from physical verification exercise to electronic verification exercise for our military retirees.

“The reasons amongst others includes
Security risk of travelling from one place to the other, and Old age of some of our pensioners

“Another reason is the High cost of transportation, particularly for those staying abroad.

“Sequel to that brief, a pilot test of the Electronic Verification Management System was conducted from 19 February to 1 March 2024.

“The pilot test was very successful.

“Out of the 2,000 pensioners that took part in the exercise only 15 persons failed.

“Therefore, it was very successful.

“However, the little observations noticed have been used to perfect the system.

‘On this note, the Minister of State for Defense Dr Bello Matawalle and the CDS Gen CG Musa have approved the commencement of the Electronic Verification Exercise for our esteemed Veterans.

‘The Board will carry out sufficient public awareness and education that will assist our retired pensioners on how to carry out this verification.

“Therefore, as the Chairman of MPB, I hereby declare the MPB Electronic Verification Exercise officially open on full scale for all our retired pensioners for a period of 3 months from 1 July to 30 September 2024.

“The Board wishes to advice all pensioners to take active part in this exercise.

“Those that fail to take part in the Verification Exercise will not get their pensions going forward.”