President Bola Tinubu has approved a luxurious retirement package for service chiefs and generals, including $20,000 annually for foreign medical treatment, bulletproof SUVs, and domestic aides, among other benefits.
This development was signed into law on December 14, 2024, as part of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers and Enlisted Personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces
According to the document obtained by Punch, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and other service chiefs will receive a bulletproof SUV or equivalent upon retirement, with replacements provided every four years.
The vehicles will be maintained by the military. Additionally, each retiree will receive a Peugeot 508 or its equivalent as a backup vehicle.
The package includes annual medical treatment worth up to $20,000 for generals, while the CDS and service chiefs are believed to enjoy significantly higher allowances.
Domestic arrangements include five aides—two cooks, two stewards, and one gardener—along with a personal assistant, three service drivers, and a service orderly.
Security measures will be bolstered with an aide-de-camp or security officer and necessary escorts from military units.
The HTCOS read, “Retirement benefits for CDS and Service Chiefs: The following benefits shall be applicable: One bullet-proof SUV or equivalent vehicle to be maintained by the Service and to be replaced every four years. One Peugeot 508 or equivalent backup vehicle.
‘’Retention of all military uniforms and accoutrement to be worn for appropriate ceremonies; five domestic aides (two service cooks, two stewards and one civilian gardener); one Aide-de-Camp/security officer; one Special Assistant (Lt/Capt or equivalents) or one Personal Assistant (Warrant Officer or equivalents); standard guard (nine soldiers).
“Three service drivers; one service orderly; escorts (to be provided by appropriate military units/ formation as the need arises); retention of personal firearms (on his demise, the personal firearm(s) shall be retrieved by the relevant service) and free medical cover in Nigeria and abroad.”
For other senior officers such as lieutenant generals and equivalents, they are entitled to two Toyota Hilux vehicles or one Toyota Land Cruiser, along with $20,000 annual medical treatment, two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards and two drivers.
The document stated, “Lieutenant generals and equivalents will receive two Toyota Hilux vehicles or one Toyota Land Cruiser, along with $20,000 annual medical treatment, two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards, and two drivers.
“Retirement benefits for lieutenant general/equivalents. The following benefits shall be applicable: Officers of three-star rank. Two Toyota Hilux Vehicles or one Toyota Land cruiser or equivalent jeep of the same value; two Cooks; two Stewards; four residential guards; one service orderly; two service drivers and free medicals in Nigeria and abroad to the tune of $20,000 per year.”
The Federal Government also approved for major generals and brigadier generals a Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent, $15,000 annual medical treatment, domestic staff, and residential guards.
One-star officers are expected to receive $10,000 annually for medical care, a Toyota Camry or equivalent and similar domestic and security arrangements.
The HTCOS further read, “For major-generals/brigadier-generals and equivalents, the following benefits shall be applicable: One Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent car of the same value.
“One cook; One steward, two residential guards; One service orderly; One driver; Free medicals in Nigeria, and abroad to the tune of $15,000 per annum.
“Officers of One-Star rank (Brig. Gen.): One Toyota Camry or equivalent car of the same value; One service driver; two residential guards; One orderly and free medicals in Nigeria and abroad to the tune of $10,000 per annum.’’
Colonels and their equivalents are to get a Toyota Corolla or its equivalent and free medical care within Nigeria.
