President Bola Tinubu has approved a generous retirement package for service chiefs and generals, including $20,000 in foreign medical treatment, bullet-proof SUVs, cooks, and other benefits.
However, the package has drawn criticism from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD)
According to the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTCOS) for Officers and Enlisted Personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces, signed by President Tinubu on December 14, 2024, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and other service chiefs are entitled to a bullet-proof SUV or its equivalent as a retirement benefit.
This vehicle will be replaced every four years and maintained by the military. Additionally, they will receive a Peugeot 508 or an equivalent vehicle as a backup.
Retired generals will also enjoy various luxurious perks, including domestic aides and residential guards. Benefits for those retiring as lieutenant generals and their equivalents include $20,000 annually for international and local medical treatment. While the CDS and service chiefs package was not specified, it is believed to be significantly higher.
Other entitlements include a special or personal assistant, three service drivers, a service orderly, and escorts provided by relevant military units.
Each retiring service chief will also receive five domestic aides comprising two service cooks, two stewards, and one civilian gardener, along with an aide-de-camp or security officer.
The HTCOS stipulates:
“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 accoutrements 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 provided by appropriate military units/formation as needed; retention of personal firearms (to be retrieved by the relevant service upon demise); and free medical cover in Nigeria and abroad.”
For lieutenant generals and equivalents, the HTCOS outlines benefits such as two Toyota Hilux vehicles or one Toyota Land Cruiser, $20,000 annual medical treatment, two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards, and two drivers. Major generals and brigadier generals are entitled to $15,000 annual medical treatment, a Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent, domestic staff, and residential guards. One-star officers will receive $10,000 annually for medical care, a Toyota Camry or equivalent, and similar domestic and security arrangements. Colonels and their equivalents are to receive a Toyota Corolla or its equivalent and free medical care within Nigeria.
