In a move that has sparked debate, President Bola Tinubu has approved a comprehensive retirement package for Nigeria’s service chiefs and retired generals, offering significant benefits such as bulletproof SUVs, luxury vehicles, domestic aides, and foreign medical treatment.
The Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers and Enlisted Personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces (HTCOS), which was signed by President Tinubu on December 14, 2024, outlines the retirement entitlements for senior military officers. The package includes a bulletproof SUV, to be replaced every four years and maintained by the military, as well as a backup vehicle, such as a Peugeot 508 or its equivalent. Retiring officers will also receive luxurious domestic staff, including two service cooks, two stewards, and one civilian gardener.
Additional benefits for the retired service chiefs include the provision of personal assistants (either a special assistant or personal assistant), three service drivers, a service orderly, and a security officer. The retirement package also stipulates the assignment of nine soldiers as a security guard, along with free medical coverage both locally and internationally.
One of the most controversial aspects of the package is the $20,000 annual foreign medical treatment for officers retiring as lieutenant generals and their equivalents. While the details for the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and other service chiefs are not explicitly outlined, it is believed that their entitlements will be significantly higher.
The package further includes provisions for residential guards, escorts, and retention of military uniforms to be worn for appropriate ceremonies. The package also allows for the retention of personal firearms, which must be returned to the military after the officer’s demise.
For other senior military officers, such as major generals and brigadier generals, the benefits include either a Toyota Land Cruiser or two Toyota Hilux vehicles, along with $15,000 in annual medical treatment, domestic staff (including one cook, one steward, and two residential guards), and a service driver. One-star officers will receive a Toyota Camry, $10,000 for medical treatment, and other domestic and security arrangements.
The approval of foreign medical treatment for retired officers has drawn criticism, particularly from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). The NMA, led by Prof. Bala Audu, expressed concerns over the prioritization of foreign medical care, urging that such benefits should be provided within Nigeria to stimulate the local healthcare system.
Prof. Muhammad Muhammad, President of MDCAN, also criticized the decision, arguing that it reflects a lack of confidence in the Nigerian healthcare sector. He stressed the importance of reforming the country’s healthcare system to ensure that high-quality care is available locally, thereby boosting Nigerians’ trust in local medical providers.
While the retirement benefits for service chiefs are not new, the extensive nature of the package has raised questions about the allocation of public funds and the government’s priorities. Critics argue that the large sums dedicated to foreign medical treatment and luxury benefits for top military officers should be redirected towards improving the healthcare system and other pressing national issues.
The retirement package is a reflection of the significant status and responsibilities of the Nigerian military leadership, but the ongoing debate about its fairness and the prioritization of foreign over local resources continues to divide public opinion.
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