President Bola Tinubu has approved an extensive retirement package for military generals, including $20,000 annual medical allowances, bullet-proof SUVs, domestic aides, and security escorts. The newly signed Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTCOS) ensures luxurious post-service benefits, sparking conversations about fairness amidst Nigeria's economic challenges.
President Bola Tinubu has approved an extensive retirement package for Nigeria's top military officers, offering luxurious benefits as outlined in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTCOS) for Officers and Enlisted Personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces. The package, signed on December 14, 2024, includes high-value perks such as bullet-proof SUVs, annual medical allowances, and domestic aides.
Service chiefs, including the Chief of Defence Staff, are entitled to a bullet-proof SUV, replaced every four years, and a Peugeot 508 or equivalent as a backup vehicle. Retired lieutenant generals will receive $20,000 annually for medical treatment, two Toyota Hilux vehicles or a Toyota Land Cruiser, and a team of domestic and security personnel, including cooks, stewards, and residential guards.
Major generals and brigadier generals are allocated $15,000 annually for medical expenses, a Toyota Land Cruiser, and similar domestic support. Officers ranked as colonels and their equivalents are entitled to a Toyota Corolla and free medical care within Nigeria.
The HTCOS also provides for the retention of military uniforms for ceremonial purposes, a dedicated aide-de-camp or security officer, and personal firearms, which are retrieved after the officer's demise.
However, the scale of these benefits has sparked discussions about equity and resource allocation within Nigeria’s broader economic context.
