President Bola Tinubu has signed new terms and conditions of service for the Nigerian Armed Forces, offering improved retirement benefits for officers of General rank.
The approval, finalized on December 14, 2024, includes luxury allowances and support services, setting a new standard for military retirement packages.
Under the updated Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS), retiring officers, including the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, and other high-ranking generals, are entitled to several exclusive perks.
These include a bulletproof SUV as a retirement gift, a backup vehicle replaced every four years, and full maintenance by the Armed Forces.
Additionally, these officers will retain their military uniforms for ceremonial purposes and have access to personal firearms under strict conditions.
Retirement benefits extend to comprehensive medical coverage, including $20,000 annually for foreign medical trips. Each retired general is also entitled to domestic staff, such as cooks, stewards, and gardeners, alongside security aides and military escorts.
Lieutenant generals will receive two Toyota Hilux vehicles or a Toyota Land Cruiser, while Major-Generals and Brigadier-Generals are provided with equivalent cars and similar benefits, albeit at adjusted levels.
For one-star generals, the package includes a Toyota Camry or its equivalent, $10,000 for annual medical care, and essential domestic and security arrangements. Colonels and their equivalents will receive a Toyota Corolla and free medical care within Nigeria.
Part of the statement reads: “The following benefits shall be applicable: One bullet-proof SUV or equivalent vehicle to be maintained by the Service and to be replaced every four years.
“One Peugeot 508 or equivalent backup vehicle.
‘’Retention of all military uniforms and accoutrement to be worn for appropriate ceremonies; five domestic aides (two service cooks, two stewards and one civilian gardener); one Aide-de-Camp/security officer; one Special Assistant (Lt/Capt or equivalents) or one Personal Assistant (Warrant Officer or equivalents); standard guard (nine soldiers).
“Three service drivers; one service orderly; escorts (to be provided by appropriate military units/ formation as the need arises); retention of personal firearms (on his demise, the personal firearm(s) shall be retrieved by the relevant service) and free medical cover in Nigeria and abroad.
“These are Retirement benefits for CDS and Service Chiefs.
“For other senior officers such as lieutenant generals and equivalents, they are entitled to 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.
“Lieutenant generals and equivalents will receive 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.
“Retirement benefits for lieutenant general/equivalents, the following benefits shall be applicable: Officers of three-star rank.
“Two Toyota Hilux Vehicles or one Toyota Land cruiser or equivalent jeep of the same value; two Cooks; two Stewards; four residential guards; one service orderly; two service drivers and free medicals in Nigeria and abroad to the tune of $20,000 per year.”
“For major-generals/brigadier-generals and equivalents, the following benefits shall be applicable: One Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent car of the same value.
“One cook; One steward, two residential guards; One service orderly; One driver; Free medicals in Nigeria, and abroad to the tune of $15,000 per annum.
“Officers of One-Star rank (Brig. Gen.): One Toyota Camry or equivalent car of the same value; One service driver; two residential guards; One orderly and free medicals in Nigeria and abroad to the tune of $10,000 per annum.’’
