FG Allocates ₦27bn for Ex-Leaders, Professors, and Retired Officials in 2025

DDM News

The Federal Government (FG) has allocated ₦27 billion for the entitlements of former presidents, vice presidents, heads of state, chiefs of staff, retired heads of service, and university professors in the 2025 fiscal year.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reported this allocation after reviewing documents from the 2025 budget presentation by President Bola Tinubu.

The FG’s allocation will benefit former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari.

Other beneficiaries include ex-Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

Retired military leaders, such as Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), and former military President Ibrahim Babangida, are also included.

The FG has also included retired Chief of General Staff Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe in the list of beneficiaries.

This provision is part of the ₦49.70 trillion budget titled “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity.”

The FG emphasized defense, infrastructure development, and human capital investment in the budget.

The FG also allocated ₦1.4 trillion for pensions, gratuities, and retirees’ benefits.

Civilian pensions under the Office of the Head of Civil Service will receive ₦46 billion.

Military pensions and gratuities are set to receive ₦383.9 billion.

The FG has earmarked ₦66.8 billion for expected retirees.

Other allocations include ₦434 million for administrative charges, ₦596 million for pension running costs, and ₦870 million for medical retirees.

The FG’s decision to prioritize significant funds for former leaders during economic hardship has sparked widespread concern.

Millions of Nigerians face inflation, unemployment, and limited access to basic services.

Yet, the FG channels substantial resources toward elite entitlements.

This approach undermines trust in governance and weakens public confidence in the FG’s leadership.

Critics argue that these funds could better serve the broader population.

Many believe the FG should prioritize addressing poverty and inequality instead of favoring a few elite beneficiaries.

The FG’s allocation strategy risks deepening economic disparities.

Systemic inequality discourages meaningful political participation and fosters governance dominated by entrenched elites.

This hinders the growth of inclusive democracy in Nigeria.

The FG’s projected budget deficit of ₦13.39 trillion raises concerns about fiscal responsibility.

Borrowing to cover deficits adds to Nigeria’s growing debt burden.

Critics believe the FG could redirect these funds to more urgent national needs.

The FG’s budget includes ₦500 billion for social investment programs.

However, critics point out that these allocations pale compared to the benefits earmarked for a small group of retirees.

For instance, the FG allocated only ₦50 billion for the student loan scheme, while ₦27 billion is set aside for a privileged few.

The FG’s provision of significant benefits to former leaders could create a culture of political patronage.

This undermines the FG’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

It also perpetuates a cycle of self-serving leadership, which weakens democratic principles.

The FG’s budgetary decisions must be understood within Nigeria’s broader history of governance challenges.

Mismanagement of resources and prioritization of elite privileges have long hindered Nigeria’s progress.

The FG’s allocation of ₦27 billion for former leaders fuels public dissatisfaction and undermines citizens’ faith in equitable governance.

The FG must adopt equitable resource allocation practices to strengthen democracy.

Investments should focus on critical sectors that benefit the majority of Nigerians, such as education, healthcare, and job creation.

The FG’s allocation of ₦27 billion for former leaders and retirees reflects ongoing governance issues.

While honoring past leaders is important, the FG must balance this with addressing pressing national challenges.

The FG must ensure its resource allocation strategies serve the collective good to achieve sustainable democracy in Nigeria.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook