The November 2025 Military Pension Crisis: Lies, Gliches, and a Broken Trust

The November 2025 Military Pension Crisis: Lies, Gliches, and a Broken Trust

‎The ongoing saga of the delayed November 2025 pension payments for Nigerian military retirees, particularly those banking with First Bank, has become a significant source of frustration and mistrust. What began as a routine monthly disbursement quickly devolved into a muddled situation, leaving pensioners anxious and official explanations ringing hollow.

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‎The Official Narrative vs. The Reality on the Ground

‎According to the Military Pensions Board (MPB), the issue should have been resolved weeks ago. On November 27, 2025, the MPB announced that the November pension had been released to all banks nationwide, attributing subsequent delays to generic "technical hitches experienced in the execution of the MPB's mandate by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the commercial banks."

‎The official line is a simple chain of command: MPB paid CBN, CBN paid the commercial banks, and the commercial banks should have credited accounts.

‎However, the reality is starkly different for many. As recently as early December 2025, countless First Bank users reported empty accounts, even as they received other non-pension related alerts. This discrepancy fuels a growing suspicion: if the money is truly there, why can other transactions process normally, but the pension payment remains stuck in limbo?

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‎The Core of the Suspicion: Who is Lying?

‎The situation has created a tense dynamic where pensioners, many of whom rely solely on this income for survival, feel they are being misled.

‎When institutions use vague terms like "technical glitches," it’s easy for trust to erode. The sentiment among many affected individuals, including those in our recent conversation, is clear: "Ogbeni na lie."

‎The skepticism stems from a belief that while technical problems might exist, there is a fundamental lack of priority given to pensioner welfare. The common refrain is that if it were a matter of government officials or the military acquiring funds, the systems would work flawlessly. But when it comes to paying those who have already served their nation, suddenly the infrastructure is "problematic."

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‎The Bizarre Case of the Double Payment

‎Further muddying the waters is the MPB's claim that some First Bank pensioners accidentally received double payments for November. They strongly advised those individuals against spending the extra money, as it would be reconciled and reversed.

‎This anomaly has only deepened the mistrust. The suspicion is that this is either a massive system error that proves the system is broken, or worse, a distraction. As one concerned individual put it: "Before you know it not all would receive their pension of November own and when December time comes it may be 50/50 they may or not receive it or let alone get paid double in December for not receiving their November pension."

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‎A Failure of Record Keeping?

‎A central point of frustration is the apparent inability of the relevant bodies to use their own records effectively. Why can't the MPB, CBN, or First Bank use their internal systems to immediately detect who has received payment and who has not?

‎Every transaction leaves a digital footprint. A functional system should be able to instantly reconcile the list of expected payments with the list of successful account credits. The inability—or unwillingness—to do so points to a significant failure in the tracking and payment processes. It gives the impression that the system is unmanaged and unaccountable.

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‎Conclusion: A Crisis of Confidence

‎The November 2025 pension issue is more than a banking error; it is a profound crisis of confidence.

‎For the affected pensioners, the "system is lying," and trust has evaporated. The fear that the missing November payments will simply be forgotten, or that the December cycle will face the same chaos, is a genuine and pressing concern.

‎Until every single pensioner receives their due payment, the official narratives of "released funds" and "technical glitches" will continue to ring hollow. The military and the Nigerian banking system have a moral and administrative responsibility to fix this mess and restore the faith of those who rely on them the most.

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‎The delays in military pension payments for November and December 2025 are due to "technical hitches" experienced between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the commercial banks, including First Bank. The Military Pensions Board (MPB) states the delay is not its fault, but rather a bank processing issue.

‎December 2025 Payment Status

‎The Military Pensions Board officially announced on December 24, 2025, that the December pensions had been released to all banks nationwide and advised pensioners to contact their respective banks.

‎However, as of December 29, 2025, many First Bank users were still reporting that they had not received their funds for either November or December, indicating a specific problem with that bank's processing system. Other pensioners using different banks reported receiving their payments.

‎What the Military Pensions Board Says

‎The Cause: The MPB has clarified that the delay is a result of technical issues in the execution of its mandate by the CBN and the various commercial banks.

‎Assurances: The Board has assured pensioners that it is "on top of the situation" and working to ensure all eligible individuals are paid as soon as possible.

‎Double Payments: Some pensioners (across various banks, not just First Bank) reported receiving double payments in November/early December. The MPB advised these individuals to treat the second payment as their December pension, as the money would be recovered otherwise.

‎What First Bank Users Are Reporting

‎Many pensioners banking with First Bank are frustrated, noting that this is a repeated issue. Reports on social media indicate:

‎Some First Bank users have not received their November pension.

‎Many are still waiting for their December pension as of late December 2025.

‎Users are urging the bank to provide a public notice or brief explanation for the recurring delays.

‎Recommended Action

‎If you are affected by the delay:

‎Contact Your Bank: The MPB advises pensioners to contact their respective banks for their emoluments. You can reach out to First Bank customer service directly to inquire about your specific account status.

‎Contact the MPB: If the bank is unhelpful, you can contact the Military Pensions Board directly through their official numbers: 09059106134 or 07076111832.