The protesters, who had blockaded the Ministry of Finance since last week, called off the action after a high-level meeting with government officials, as reported by The Nation Newspaper.

The suspension was announced on Monday evening, September 8, after representatives from the Defence Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence engaged with the retirees’ leaders. 

According to sources close to the discussions, the FG committed to processing and disbursing the long-overdue benefits, including pensions, gratuities, and other welfare packages, within a specified timeframe to avoid further disruptions. 

The protesters, organized under the umbrella of the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, had decried years of delays in payments, citing economic hardships exacerbated by inflation and rising living costs.

The week-long protest, which began on September 2, saw hundreds of retired military personnel gathering at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, chanting slogans and displaying placards that read “Pay Our Entitlements Now” and “Veterans Deserve Better.” 

Their action disrupted traffic and operations at key government buildings, drawing attention to what they described as systemic neglect of veterans who served the nation during active duty. 

Similar protests have occurred in the past, but this iteration gained momentum amid broader economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including subsidy removals that have strained household budgets.

In a statement shared via social media, the protesters expressed cautious optimism, giving the government a “Friday deadline” for initial payments to demonstrate good faith. 

“We have suspended the protest in the spirit of cooperation, but we expect action, not more promises,” one retiree leader told reporters on site.

 The FG’s intervention was brokered by top officials, including representatives from the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff, who assured the group that bureaucratic hurdles would be cleared expeditiously.