Budget of Restoration or Exclusion? Nigerians Challenge Tinubu’s Allocation for Former Leaders

DDM News

The Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria has allocated ₦27 billion in the 2025 fiscal year for former presidents, vice presidents, heads of state, chiefs of staff, retired heads of service, and university professors, a decision that many Nigerians see as a form of exclusion from the benefits of governance.

This exclusion of ordinary citizens from essential resources has sparked nationwide outrage, with citizens questioning the FG’s commitment to addressing pressing socio-economic challenges facing the nation.

This allocation, first reported by Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) after analyzing documents from the 2025 budget presentation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlights provisions for some of Nigeria’s most notable former leaders.

Beneficiaries include former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari; ex-Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; and retired military leaders such as Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), and former military President Ibrahim Babangida.

Also listed is retired Chief of General Staff Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe.

This hefty provision is part of the ₦49.70 trillion “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” which prioritizes defense, infrastructure development, and human capital investment, but fails to address the exclusion felt by the wider populace.

While these goals appear commendable, the allocation of significant resources to former leaders and elites has triggered widespread discontent, especially as millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with economic hardship, feeling excluded from the benefits of government policies.

The 2025 budget includes ₦1.4 trillion for pensions, gratuities, and retirees’ benefits.

Civilian pensions under the Office of the Head of Civil Service are set to receive ₦46 billion, while military pensions and gratuities are allocated ₦383.9 billion.

Additionally, ₦66.8 billion is earmarked for expected retirees, alongside smaller provisions for administrative charges (₦434 million), pension running costs (₦596 million), and medical retirees (₦870 million).

Critics argue that these figures, particularly the ₦27 billion designated for former leaders’ allowances, further expose the exclusion of ordinary citizens by dwarfing allocations for more urgent national needs.

For instance, only ₦50 billion is earmarked for a student loan scheme meant to address educational challenges.

Similarly, ₦500 billion is allocated for social investment programs, which many argue is insufficient given the country’s rising unemployment, inflation, and poverty rates, leaving much of the population excluded from adequate support.

The announcement of these allocations has fueled protests across social media platforms, with many Nigerians expressing their frustration over their exclusion from meaningful government action.

Nigerians have posed pointed questions:

“Where is the allocation for the common man?”

“Where is the provision for the poor?”

“Where is the support for non-formal leaders and grassroots contributors to national development?”

“Is President Tinubu leveraging these allocations to secure the loyalty of former leaders ahead of the 2027 elections?”

These sentiments highlight growing dissatisfaction with the FG’s apparent prioritization of elite privileges over the welfare of ordinary citizens, and the exclusion of those who are struggling the most.

Many Nigerians view the budget as a glaring reflection of systemic exclusion and a perpetuation of governance that favors a select few.

The FG’s decision to allocate substantial resources to elite allowances comes amid Nigeria’s persistent governance challenges, including mismanagement of resources, looting, lack of transparency, and prioritization of political patronage over public interest, leaving the majority excluded from benefiting.

Critics argue that these practices undermine democratic principles and erode public trust in government institutions, deepening the exclusion of the people from effective governance.

The budget’s projected deficit of ₦13.39 trillion further exacerbates concerns about fiscal responsibility.

Borrowing to cover deficits adds to Nigeria’s growing debt burden, raising questions about the sustainability of current economic policies that may exclude future generations from economic prosperity.

Critics suggest that redirecting funds from elite allowances to sectors like education, healthcare, and job creation would better serve the broader population and promote inclusive development, reducing the exclusion felt by many.

By allocating significant benefits to a small group of retirees, the FG risks deepening economic disparities and discouraging meaningful political participation, which is already severely affected by the exclusion of ordinary citizens from decision-making processes.

Systemic inequality fosters a cycle of self-serving leadership, where entrenched elites dominate governance at the expense of the majority, furthering the exclusion of those most in need.

This approach weakens democratic principles and perpetuates a culture of political patronage, making it harder to achieve sustainable progress while excluding the masses from their fair share of development.

While honoring past leaders for their contributions to Nigeria’s development is important, it must be balanced with addressing pressing national challenges and not further perpetuate the exclusion of ordinary citizens.

The FG’s current allocation strategy appears to prioritize elite privileges over investments in critical sectors that could improve the lives of millions, leading to a continuation of exclusion from necessary services.

Education, healthcare, and job creation are areas where urgent intervention is needed to combat exclusion and uplift the general populace.

Redirecting resources from elite allowances to these sectors would not only address immediate socio-economic challenges but also strengthen democracy by promoting equity and inclusivity, bridging the gap of exclusion felt by millions.

The FG’s decision to allocate ₦27 billion to former leaders amid widespread economic hardship has fueled public dissatisfaction and weakened citizens’ faith in equitable governance, making it seem as though the people are being excluded from meaningful political and economic participation.

Nigerians are calling for more transparent and accountable resource allocation practices that prioritize the collective good over individual privileges, addressing the exclusion that continues to dominate government policies.

Critics argue that the FG must reassess its budgetary priorities to align with the needs of the majority, ensuring that the exclusion of the general population is no longer a key feature of governance.

Investments in critical sectors like education and healthcare, coupled with measures to reduce systemic inequality, are essential for fostering sustainable development and strengthening democratic values that benefit all citizens, not just the elites.

The FG’s 2025 budget has exposed deep-seated governance issues that continue to hinder Nigeria’s progress, highlighting the exclusion of the majority in the face of massive allocations for the privileged few.

While honoring former leaders is important, it must not come at the expense of addressing the urgent needs of the majority, ensuring that no citizen is left excluded from the benefits of governance.

To achieve sustainable democracy, the FG must adopt equitable resource allocation practices that serve the collective good and reduce the exclusion of the broader population.

By investing in critical sectors and addressing systemic inequality, Nigeria can build a more inclusive society where governance reflects the aspirations of all citizens, not just a privileged few.

The voices of ordinary Nigerians must be heard and prioritized in the FG’s decision-making processes, ensuring that the exclusion they feel is no longer a reality.

Only then can Nigeria move toward a future where governance serves the people and fosters a truly democratic society, free from exclusion.

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