President Bola Tinubu’s exit benefit for sacked service chiefs has raised eyebrows, especially among retired and serving junior military personnel, many of whom say the system has abandoned them.
It was reports that Nigeria’s recently sacked Service Chiefs, General Christopher Musa (former Chief of Defence Staff), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar (former Chief of Air Staff), and Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla (former Chief of Naval Staff), are set to walk away with generous post-service benefits that include bulletproof vehicles, domestic aides, lifetime medical care, and other luxury privileges.
Their exit follows President Tinubu’s decision to overhaul the military hierarchy with the appointment of new service chiefs on Friday, October 24, 2025.
Under the new arrangement, General Olufemi Oluyede has been appointed as Chief of Defence Staff, replacing Musa; Major-General W. Shaibu is now Chief of Army Staff; Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke takes over as Chief of Air Staff; and Rear Admiral I. Abbas becomes the Chief of Naval Staff. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retained his position.
The announcement, made through a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, was described as part of efforts to “strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.”
What the Service Chiefs Will Receive
It was understands that the retirement benefits are outlined in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTCOS) for Officers and Enlisted Personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, approved and signed by President Tinubu on December 14, 2024.
According to the policy, each outgoing service chief is entitled to:
One bulletproof SUV or an equivalent vehicle, maintained and replaced by the military every four years.
A backup vehicle, such as a Peugeot 508, also maintained by the Service.
Five domestic aides — two service cooks, two stewards, and one civilian gardener.
An aide-de-camp or security officer, a personal assistant, and three service drivers.
A standard guard unit made up of nine soldiers for round-the-clock protection.
Free medical care for life, both in Nigeria and abroad.
Retention of personal firearms, which will only be retrieved upon the officer’s death.
They are also permitted to keep their military uniforms and accoutrements, which may be worn during official military ceremonies.
It was understands that the policy further clarifies that such privileges will be forfeited if a retired officer accepts another publicly funded appointment, except where the President offers the position.
In such cases, the officer will only receive allowances commensurate with the new role rather than a full salary.
A section of the document reads: “Retirement benefits for CDS and Service Chiefs: The following benefits shall be applicable — one bulletproof SUV or equivalent vehicle to be maintained by the Service and replaced every four years; one Peugeot 508 or equivalent backup vehicle. Retention of all military uniforms and accoutrement; five domestic aides; one aide-de-camp/security officer; one special or personal assistant; three service drivers; a standard guard of nine soldiers; and free medical cover in Nigeria and abroad.”
While the document states that officers of Lieutenant-General rank and above are entitled to medical care worth up to $20,000 annually, analysts believe the actual benefits for the service chiefs far exceed that figure due to their positions and access to higher allowances.
‘We Are Forgotten’ – Junior Retirees Protest Welfare Disparity
However, the news of the lavish packages has sparked outrage among retired soldiers, particularly those from the lower ranks, who say they continue to live in poverty and neglect despite decades of loyal service to the country.
For them, the contrasting lifestyles between retired generals and junior personnel reveal a deep inequality within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
One of the aggrieved ex-soldiers, Sergeant Zaki Williams, who claimed to speak for over 700 retired soldiers, said on Sunday (today) that many of them have been waiting for years for their pension arrears and entitlements.
“I don’t really understand how our people in Nigeria do things,” he said, visibly upset.
“The people at the top always make rules to favour themselves. They don’t care about the poor or the junior ones who sacrificed everything for this country.”
Williams explained that several appeals and promises made by government officials over the years had amounted to nothing.
“Since they made those promises to us, we went back home and didn’t hear anything again. Everything just ended there,” he said. “We’ve been waiting till now, but nothing has happened.”
‘We Can’t Build Homes While They Get Bulletproof Cars’
For Williams and his colleagues, life after service has been anything but comfortable. Many of them are unable to afford homes, pay school fees, or even access medical care.
“How can someone retire after 25 years of service and still not get his entitlement?” he asked. “Many of us can’t even build a house. The senior officers have houses, cars, and everything good, but the rest of us have nothing.”
He added that the little compensation some received was too small to rebuild their lives.
“If they give you ₦2m today, what can you do with it in this economy? You have a family to feed, children to train, and bills to pay,” he lamented. “We risked our lives for the nation, yet this is what we get.”
Another retired soldier, Abdul Isiak, echoed similar sentiments, accusing senior officers of frustrating efforts by the Ministry of Defence to address the plight of lower-ranking retirees.
“All these benefits they are giving to the generals are far more than what we have ever asked for. We are only asking for what is rightfully ours, our pensions, our gratuities. We’ve suffered too much,” he said.
According to him, many of his colleagues now depend on odd jobs to survive, while others have fallen into depression or died waiting for their entitlements.
“We have families, too. We fought for this country. It’s unfair that only the top brass get everything while the rest of us are forgotten,” he added.
Retired Soldiers Threaten Fresh Protests
Disappointed by years of neglect, some of the retirees said they were considering fresh protests to draw attention to their plight.
“Some of us said we should protest again, but others refused because they fear harassment,” Williams said.
“We told them that day that we were not going for another protest. If the government wants to help us, they should help us. If not, we’re done.”
He added that many of his colleagues have lost faith in the system and now simply “leave everything to God.”
“We’ve cried and done our best. They promised us, but in the end, nothing happened. We haven’t seen anything,” he said quietly. “That’s why many of us are now silent.”
Fresh Round of Military Retirements Imminent
Meanwhile, reports have it that the Armed Forces are bracing for a wave of compulsory retirements following the appointment of new service chiefs.
According to the sources within the military said that more than 50 senior officers, including generals, brigadiers-general, air vice-marshals, and admirals, could be affected as part of the reorganisation that traditionally follows changes at the top.
A senior officer explained that the policy, a long-standing military tradition, dictates that any officer senior to the newly appointed service chiefs must retire immediately, since they cannot take orders from their juniors.
“It’s standard procedure. When a junior is appointed as service chief, those senior to him must leave. They cannot remain in the same structure and take orders from their junior,” the officer said.
Another insider estimated that about 100 officers across the Army, Navy, and Air Force could leave service in the coming weeks.
“Only officers from Course 41 will remain in service,” the source said. “The new CDS is from Course 39, while the Army, Air, and Naval chiefs are from Course 40. Those above them, from Courses 39 and 40, are expected to go.”
It was understands that this shake-up is expected to open new vacancies, paving the way for promotions and postings, as the military moves to restructure its command hierarchy under the new leadership.
The revelations have reignited a long-running conversation about equity, welfare, and reward systems within the Nigerian military.
While government officials insist that the retirement benefits of the service chiefs are standard practice, critics argue that such lavish privileges for a few at the top, amid neglect of thousands who fought in the trenches, highlight the deep class divide in the armed forces.
For many like Sgt. Williams, the question remains simple: “We are not asking for bulletproof cars. We just want our dignity back.”
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