FG Approves $20,000 Medical Allowance, Bulletproof SUVs, and Other Benefits for Retiring Military Generals

• The Federal Government approves a luxurious retirement package for military chiefs, including $20,000 for medical treatment and bulletproof SUVs
• The package aims to recognize military sacrifices but raises concerns about financial implications amid national challenges and public service needs

The Federal Government has approved a comprehensive retirement package for service chiefs and military generals, including $20,000 for foreign medical treatment, bulletproof SUVs, and other luxurious benefits.

The package is part of the newly signed Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as announced on December 16, 2024, by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun.

Key Benefits:

1. Vehicles and Transportation:
   • Retiring service chiefs and generals will receive bulletproof SUVs, replaced every four years and maintained by the military.
   • They will also receive a Peugeot 508 or a similar backup vehicle.
2. Medical Allowance:
   • Annual foreign and local medical treatment allowance of up to $20,000 for retired lieutenant generals and their equivalents.
   • Major generals and brigadier generals will receive $15,000 annually for medical care.
   • One-star officers will receive $10,000 annually, while colonels and equivalents will access free medical care within Nigeria.
3. Domestic Staff and Security:
   • Retiring service chiefs will be assigned five domestic aides, including two cooks, two stewards, a civilian gardener, and an aide-de-camp or security officer.
   • Other officers will have residential guards, special assistants, service orderlies, and service drivers as part of their benefits.
4. Personal Firearms and Uniforms:
   • Retired generals will retain their firearms, which will be retrieved upon their demise, and all military uniforms and accoutrements for ceremonial purposes.
5. Other Luxuries:
   • Depending on rank, each retired general will have access to a special assistant who is either a lieutenant, captain, or warrant officer.
   • Escorts will be provided as needed for security.

Additional Benefits:

• Major Generals and Brigadier Generals: Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent vehicle and domestic staff.
• One-Star Officers: Toyota Camry or equivalent vehicle.
• Colonels and Equivalents: Toyota Corolla or equivalent vehicle.

While benefits for serving chiefs of defence staff and service chiefs were not detailed, it is anticipated they would receive significantly higher perks.