President Bola Tinubu has approved an extensive retirement package for Service Chiefs and top military officers, including $20,000 for annual foreign medical treatment, bulletproof SUVs, domestic aides, and other benefits.
The new provisions, outlined in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service, (HTCOS), which was signed in December 2024, has however drawn sharp criticism from medical and civil society groups.
The package includes a bulletproof SUV, replaced every four years, a backup vehicle, personal aides, and free medical care abroad. Lieutenant-Generals will receive $20,000 for medical treatment, two Toyota Hilux vehicles or a Land Cruiser, and domestic staff. Major-Generals and Brigadier-Generals are entitled to similar perks, with $15,000 and $10,000 annual medical allowances, respectively. Colonels and their equivalents will get a Toyota Corolla as well as free medical care within Nigeria.
Critics, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and resident doctors, argue that the package signals a lack of confidence in the local healthcare system. They have called for the Government to prioritise improving domestic health infrastructure instead of funding medical tourism.
Civil society leaders also questioned the necessity of such extravagant benefits amid Nigeria’s economic struggles and persistent insecurity. They urged the government to redirect resources toward essential public services and the welfare of ordinary citizens.
The debate highlights growing concerns about governance priorities and equity in resource allocation during times of economic hardship.
