President Bola Tinubu has approved substantial allowances and benefits for senior military officers retiring after serving 35 years, following the signing of the new Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
This includes top-tier perks such as bulletproof SUVs, foreign medical treatment, and domestic staff, marking a significant upgrade in military retirement benefits.
The newly signed terms, which were under consideration during the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, were finalized on December 14, 2024. Under the new terms, senior officers, starting with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the service chiefs, will be entitled to several high-value benefits upon retirement.
Key provisions include: Retirement Package: Retired generals will receive a bulletproof SUV or its equivalent, with the vehicle and a backup vehicle replaced every four years, maintained by the Armed Forces. Medical Care: Generals will enjoy fully paid foreign medical treatment, with annual allowances for medical expenses $20,000 for Lieutenant Generals and equivalent ranks, while the CDS is expected to receive a higher amount. Domestic Staff: Retired generals will have access to five domestic staff members, including two cooks, two stewards, and one civilian gardener. In addition, they will be provided with one Aide-de-Camp/security officer and a Special Assistant or Personal Assistant.
Residential Guards and Drivers: Each retired general will be entitled to three military drivers, a service orderly, nine soldiers for a security guard, and residential guards. For Lieutenant Generals and equivalent ranks, the benefits include: 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. For Major-Generals and Brigadier-Generals, they will receive: A Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent, $15,000 annual medical treatment, domestic staff, and residential guards. One-star generals, or Brigadier Generals, are entitled to: A Toyota Camry or equivalent vehicle, along with $10,000 for medical treatment annually, domestic staff, and residential guards. Colonels and equivalents will be given: A Toyota Corolla or its equivalent, along with free medical care within Nigeria.
These benefits represent an upward review in line with the current socio-economic realities of the country, though the practice of rewarding retired service chiefs and generals with such benefits has been ongoing for some time. The new HTACOS aims to ensure that the benefits reflect the current economic conditions, improving the welfare of those who serve at the highest levels in Nigeria’s military.
