President Bola Tinubu has approved a new and enhanced retirement package for Nigeria’s service chiefs and generals, which includes significant benefits such as a $20,000 annual medical allowance for overseas treatment, bulletproof SUVs, and a team of domestic staff.
The new package, outlined in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers and Enlisted Personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces (HTACOS), was signed by President Tinubu on December 14, 2024.
Under the terms, retiring Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) and service chiefs will be provided with a bulletproof SUV, which will be replaced every four years and maintained by the military. They will also receive a Peugeot 508 or similar vehicle as a backup.
In addition, the package includes five domestic staff members—two cooks, two stewards, and a gardener—along with a security officer or aide-de-camp, a special assistant, three drivers, a service orderly, and as many escorts as needed.
The retiring officers will also be allowed to retain their personal firearms and are guaranteed free medical care both in Nigeria and abroad.
For lieutenant generals and their equivalents, the retirement package includes two Toyota Hilux vehicles or a single Toyota Land Cruiser, along with the annual medical allowance, two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards, two drivers, and a service orderly.
“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,” the document read.
“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.
“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.”
“Major generals and brigadier generals will receive a Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent, $15,000 annually for medical treatment, domestic staff, and residential guards.
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“One-star officers (Brigadier Generals) are entitled to $10,000 annually for medical care, a Toyota Camry or equivalent, and similar domestic and security arrangements. Colonels and their equivalents will receive a Toyota Corolla or equivalent and free medical care within Nigeria.
“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.’’
