By Abdul Lauya
In a bid to bolster inter-agency collaboration and advance the welfare of retired military personnel, the Chairman of the Military Pensions Board (MPB), Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Adamu, on Thursday, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, in Abuja.
The visit, which marks AVM Adamu’s maiden engagement with the ministry since assuming office, is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen institutional synergy with key stakeholders responsible for veterans’ welfare.
Speaking during the meeting, AVM Adamu emphasized that the courtesy call was not merely ceremonial but a strategic step towards deepening cooperation with the finance ministry, especially on matters affecting military veterans.
In a statement made available to Eye Reporters, the Spokesperson MPB, Sqn Ldr Aliyu Mohammed, quoted the Chairman as saying “We consider this engagement vital to ensuring prompt and sustained attention to the welfare of our retired military personnel, noting that stronger inter-agency coordination is essential to eliminate bureaucratic delays in pension disbursements.
In his response, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, lauded the initiative, stating that efforts aimed at enhancing the well-being of military retirees resonate strongly with the Federal Government’s broader social protection agenda.
“We welcome any initiative that improves the lives of our veterans. Their service to the nation deserves dignity in retirement,” Edun stated, assuring the MPB of the Ministry’s support in streamlining financial processes and ensuring budgetary alignment.
The visit comes on the heels of a notable milestone: the early disbursement of July pensions, AVM Adamu’s first full month in office. The swift payment drew commendations from several quarters, including Eye Reporters, which on Saturday, July 26, published a report titled “Early July Pensions: What’s AVM Adamu Doing Differently?”
The report described the timely payment as a “good beginning” for the new MPB boss and a refreshing departure from previous delays that plagued the system.
Observers view Thursday’s visit as part of Adamu’s broader effort to consolidate on that early momentum. By engaging the finance ministry at this critical stage, the MPB helmsman appears intent on laying a firmer institutional foundation for consistent and efficient service delivery to military veterans.
The visit reflects a growing recognition that military pension reforms cannot be implemented in isolation.
Analysts note that building such partnerships is crucial in navigating Nigeria’s complex public finance ecosystem, especially at a time of competing national priorities and constrained resources.
