In what has sparked a wave of curiosity across defence and political circles, fresh details have emerged about the retirement benefits approved for Nigeria’s immediate past service chiefs under the new Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) 2024, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to documents obtained by Sunday LEADERSHIP, each of the retired military chiefs — including the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and two other service heads — will depart with a bulletproof SUV and a Prado Jeep (or equivalent), both of which will be maintained and replaced every four years by their respective services.
The exclusive document, marked “Restricted,” also reveals that each retired chief is entitled to $20,000 annually for medical expenses, both within Nigeria and abroad.
President Tinubu had, on Friday, announced a sweeping shake-up in the military hierarchy, removing the service chiefs and naming their replacements as part of efforts to “strengthen the national security architecture.” The statement, signed by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, confirmed the appointments of General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye, retains his position.
Those affected by the shake-up include General Christopher Musa, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, who have all now retired with generous packages as stipulated in the new HTACOS framework.
According to the document, the privileges of the retired chiefs extend well beyond vehicles and medical care. Each will also enjoy the services of five domestic staff, including two service cooks, two stewards, and a gardener; one security officer or aide-de-camp; one special assistant or personal orderly; nine standard guards; three service drivers; and armed escorts provided when necessary.
The document further states:
“The following benefits shall be the entitlements of the CDS and Service Chiefs: one bulletproof SUV or equivalent vehicle, to be maintained by the Service and replaced every four years; one Prado Jeep or equivalent backup vehicle; retention of all military uniforms and accoutrements to be worn for appropriate ceremonies; five domestic aides; one Aide-de-Camp/Security Officer; one Special Assistant or Personal Assistant; standard guard (9 soldiers); three Service drivers; one Service orderly; escorts to be provided by appropriate military units/formations as the need arises; retention of personal firearms (to be retrieved upon the officer’s demise); and free medical cover in Nigeria and abroad.”
The benefits are not limited to top-ranking officers alone. The new terms extend to other senior officers, scaling down with rank.
Under the 2024 HTACOS:
- Lieutenant-Generals and their equivalents are entitled to a Toyota Hilux and a Toyota Land Cruiser (or equivalent), along with two cooks, two stewards, four guards, one orderly, two drivers, and medical care worth up to $20,000 annually.
- Major-Generals and Brigadier-Generals will receive a Toyota Land Cruiser (or equivalent), one cook, one steward, two guards, one orderly, one driver, and medical coverage up to $15,000 per year.
- One-star officers will go home with a Toyota Camry (or equivalent), one driver, two guards, one orderly, and medical cover worth up to $10,000 annually.
The new retirement structure, though consistent with similar practices in the past, has raised eyebrows among defence analysts and observers who say the benefits underscore the privileged status of Nigeria’s top brass, even as the government seeks to reform military spending and welfare.
While reactions continue to trail the latest revelation, sources within the Ministry of Defence insist that the new policy aims to “honour the service and sacrifices” of senior officers who have led Nigeria’s armed forces through some of the nation’s most challenging security years.
As the new service chiefs take over amid heightened expectations, the spotlight remains firmly on President Tinubu’s security reforms — and how far they will go in balancing reward, discipline, and the demands of a nation still confronting multiple security threats.
