Lavish rewards or misplaced priorities? Tinubu approves extravagant benefits for retired generals

DDM News

President Bola Tinubu has endorsed a series of extravagant benefits for retiring senior military generals/officers in Nigeria, sparking debates over the appropriateness of such perks amidst the nation’s pressing economic challenges.

This decision follows the signing of the updated Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers and Enlisted Personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces, a document that had been in development since the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The newly approved package provides a host of luxurious allowances and privileges for officers of the General rank who retire after completing 35 years of service.

Among these benefits are bulletproof sport utility vehicles (SUVs), fully funded foreign medical trips, annual allowances for international medical care, and domestic aides.

Critics argue that such largesse highlights misplaced priorities in a country grappling with widespread poverty and an overstretched healthcare system.

Bulletproof SUVs and Replacement Vehicles

One of the standout provisions in the new retirement package is the allocation of bulletproof SUVs as parting gifts for retiring generals.

These high-end vehicles, valued at tens of millions of naira, are to be replaced every four years and maintained at the expense of the Armed Forces.

Additionally, the retirees will receive backup vehicles, such as Peugeot 508s or their equivalents, ensuring their mobility needs are met in luxury.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Chiefs of Army, Navy, and Air Staff are entitled to these premium vehicles.

Critics have pointed out that the resources required to sustain this policy could be redirected toward improving the military’s operational capacity or addressing other critical national issues.

Foreign Medical Trips and Annual Allowances

In another controversial move, the approved package guarantees foreign medical care for retired generals.

Lieutenant generals and their equivalents will receive up to $20,000 annually to cover international medical expenses, while major generals are entitled to $15,000, and brigadier generals $10,000.

This is in addition to fully paid medical trips abroad, complete with estacodes to cover their travel expenses.

The CDS is expected to receive an even higher medical allowance, though exact figures remain undisclosed.

This provision has sparked outrage among some Nigerians, who question the fairness of funding elite healthcare for retired officers while the majority of citizens face inadequate healthcare facilities and exorbitant costs.

Domestic Aides and Security Details

Retired generals will also enjoy comprehensive domestic and security support.

Each retiring service chief is entitled to five domestic staff, including two cooks, two stewards, and a civilian gardener.

They will also be assigned an Aide-de-Camp (ADC) or security officer, three military drivers, a personal or special assistant, and nine soldiers for a standard guard.

Escorts will be provided as needed by military units.

For lieutenant generals, the benefits include two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards, two drivers, and a service orderly.

These officers will also retain their personal firearms, although the weapons will be retrieved upon their demise.

Major generals and brigadier generals will have access to scaled-down but still generous support, including one cook, one steward, two residential guards, and a driver.

Colonels and their equivalents are entitled to a Toyota Corolla or equivalent, along with free medical care within Nigeria and similar domestic arrangements.

Lavish Retirement Benefits Detailed

The Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service spell out the full range of benefits for retired officers, reinforcing the perception of opulence in these arrangements.

For instance, the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs are entitled to one bulletproof SUV maintained and replaced every four years, a Peugeot 508 or equivalent backup vehicle, retention of military uniforms for ceremonial purposes, and five domestic aides, including cooks and a gardener.

They will also receive one ADC or security officer, one special assistant, three military drivers, a service orderly, nine soldiers for a standard guard, and free medical care in Nigeria and abroad.

Lieutenant generals and their equivalents will receive two Toyota Hilux vehicles or one Toyota Land Cruiser, $20,000 annually for medical care, two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards, and two drivers.

Major generals are entitled to one Toyota Land Cruiser, $15,000 for annual medical care, one cook, one steward, two residential guards, and a driver.

Brigadier generals will receive one Toyota Camry or its equivalent, $10,000 annually for medical care, one service driver, two residential guards, and a service orderly.

Colonels will be provided a Toyota Corolla or equivalent and free medical care within Nigeria.

Public Reactions and Controversy

The announcement of these benefits has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) noted how many Nigerians view the package as an example of excessive spending on the elite, particularly at a time when the country is grappling with rising inflation, widespread unemployment, and a depreciating naira.

The decision has also reignited debates about the fairness of resource allocation and the widening gap between the privileged few and the struggling masses.

Opponents argue that while the contributions of senior military officers to national security are undeniable, the scale of these benefits is disproportionate and unsustainable.

They contend that the funds could be better spent on addressing critical issues such as improving soldiers’ welfare, upgrading military equipment, and enhancing public healthcare systems.

Proponents of the package, however, maintain that these benefits are justified, given the sacrifices made by military officers during their service.

They argue that the perks serve as a reward for years of dedication and a means of ensuring that retired officers can maintain a dignified standard of living.

Broader Implications

The approval of these retirement benefits raises important questions about governance, equity, and fiscal responsibility in Nigeria.

While the military plays a vital role in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, the lavish retirement package may send the wrong message to the general populace, particularly in a country with deep-seated socioeconomic disparities.

Critics also warn that such policies could set a precedent for other sectors, leading to unsustainable demands for similar perks by other high-ranking officials.

This could exacerbate the strain on Nigeria’s already fragile economy, leaving less room for investments in infrastructure, education, and social welfare programs.

Conclusion

President Tinubu’s approval of extravagant retirement benefits for senior military officers has ignited a national debate on the balance between rewarding service and addressing the country’s broader needs.

While the new package reflects an effort to honor the contributions of retiring generals, it also underscores the challenges of equitable resource allocation in a nation struggling to meet the basic needs of its citizens.

The controversy surrounding this decision is unlikely to subside anytime soon, as Nigerians continue to grapple with the implications of prioritizing luxury over pressing national issues.

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