The Federal Government of Nigeria has set aside a total of N27 billion in the 2025 budget to cover the entitlements of former presidents, vice-presidents, military heads of state, retired heads of service, and professors.
The budget proposal, titled “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” was presented by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly.
Among the notable beneficiaries of this fund are former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari, and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Military leaders like General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), and former military President Ibrahim Babangida are also included. The allocation also caters to retired heads of service, permanent secretaries, and university professors, all of whom played significant roles in the nation’s development.
From the N27 billion, N2.3 billion is specifically reserved for former presidents and vice-presidents, while retired heads of service and permanent secretaries will receive N10.5 billion. Retired professors are allocated N13.5 billion, and N1 billion is set aside for retired heads of agencies and parastatals.
The proposed budget totals N49.70 trillion, with a strong emphasis on defense, infrastructure, and human capital development. However, the ambitious spending plan comes with a projected deficit of N13.39 trillion, to be financed through borrowing.
The budget also allocates N1.4 trillion for pensions, gratuities, and retirees’ benefits. Of this, N46 billion is for civilian pensions under the Office of the Head of Civil Service, while military pensions and gratuities are allocated N383.9 billion.
Additional provisions include N2.7 billion for gratuity arrears from 2019 to 2021 and N1.86 billion for pension arrears tied to minimum wage adjustments.
The budget also addresses pension-related concerns with:
- N43 billion for security debarment allowances.
- N330 million for minimum wage pension arrears.
- N35 billion for death benefits for deceased military personnel, with additional allocations for civil servants and police officers.
