Abuja, Nigeria, January 7, 2025 – President Bola Tinubu has authorized a comprehensive retirement package for Nigeria’s military service chiefs and senior generals, encompassing bulletproof SUVs, substantial medical allowances, and domestic aides.
According to the recently signed Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers and Enlisted Personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and other service chiefs are entitled to:
One bulletproof SUV or equivalent vehicle, maintained by the military and replaced every four years.
One Peugeot 508 or equivalent backup vehicle.
Annual foreign medical treatment allowances up to $20,000, with higher allowances anticipated for the CDS and service chiefs.
Domestic aides, including two cooks, two stewards, and one gardener.
Security personnel, comprising an aide-de-camp or security officer, a special assistant or personal assistant, three service drivers, and necessary military escorts.
Lieutenant generals and their equivalents will receive:
Two Toyota Hilux vehicles or one Toyota Land Cruiser.
$20,000 annual medical treatment allowance.
Domestic aides, including two cooks and two stewards.
Four residential guards and two drivers.
These provisions aim to honor the service of high-ranking military officials upon retirement. However, the announcement has sparked debate, with critics questioning the appropriateness of such lavish benefits amid Nigeria’s current economic challenges.
The Nigerian Medical Association and other professional bodies have expressed concerns over the allocation of substantial funds for foreign medical treatments for retired generals, advocating instead for investment in the nation’s healthcare infrastructure to benefit the broader population.
As the nation engages in discussions about these retirement benefits, the government emphasizes its commitment to recognizing the contributions of its military leaders while balancing fiscal responsibility and public welfare.
