Human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has urged the Nigerian government to raise the salaries of rank-and-file police officers.
Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television on Wednesday, Sowore argued that no police officer should earn less than ₦500,000 per month, especially when the senators they protect earn as much as ₦30 million monthly.
“We are concerned about those doing the actual work. It’s time we stand by them to ensure they are well paid and adequately cared for, even after retirement,” he stated.
Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow protest, criticised the disparity between police officers’ pay and the earnings of those they are tasked with protecting.
“I said earlier that a senator takes home ₦30 million monthly but cannot step outside without police protection. So why can’t a police officer earn ₦500,000? That’s only around $300—what some people earn in a single day elsewhere,” he said.
He also criticised the Police Pension Limited, claiming the pension managers earn an average of ₦1 million monthly while the officers whose pensions they oversee live in poverty.
“How can someone serve for 35 years and earn ₦57,000 to ₦140,000 monthly, depending on rank? How do they survive in a country with 24 per cent inflation, school fees to pay, and medical bills to cover?” he asked.
Sowore announced that the planned 21 July protest against poor police pay was initiated by officers themselves, who are prepared to go on strike.
He called on Nigerians—especially celebrities who enjoy police escorts—to join the protest.
“Celebrities’ escorts may earn better due to incentives, but it’s crucial that everyone steps out in support of the police,” he concluded.