The retirement benefits for retired ex-service chiefs, including bulletproof SUVs, personal aides, and generous allowances for medical treatment abroad is raising concern in Nigeria.
In a recent development, President Bola Tinubu retired the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs, granting them a range of retirement benefits. These benefits include bulletproof Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), personal aides, guards, and generous allowances for medical treatment abroad. This article explores the details of the retirement benefits and sheds light on the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria 2017.
Retirement Benefits For Ex-Service Chiefs
The retirement benefits for the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, have been outlined in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria 2017 (revised). These benefits are exclusive to the retired Generals upon leaving their respective services.
Bulletproof SUVs And Backup Vehicles
According to Section 11.8 of the HTACOS 2017, a retiring Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs are entitled to receive one bulletproof SUV or equivalent vehicle, to be maintained and replaced every four years by the service. Additionally, they are provided with a Peugeot 508 or equivalent backup vehicle.
Domestic Aides, Guards, And Security Personnel
The retired ex-service chiefs are allocated a team of domestic aides. This includes two service cooks, two stewards, and a civilian gardener. They also have the privilege of having an Aide-de-Camp/security officer, a special assistant or personal assistant of a specific rank, and nine standard guards comprising of soldiers. Moreover, the retirement benefits encompass three service drivers, one service orderly, and escorts to be provided by appropriate military units/formations as required.
Medical Coverage And Uniforms
Retired ex-service chiefs are entitled to free medical cover both in Nigeria and abroad. They are permitted to retain all military uniforms and accoutrements to be worn for appropriate ceremonies. However, it should be noted that personal firearms will be retrieved by the relevant services upon the death of the beneficiaries.
Retirement Benefits For Various Ranks
Section 11.19 of the HTACOS 2017 outlines the retirement benefits for specific ranks. Lieutenant Generals in the Nigerian Army, Vice Admirals in the Navy, and Air Marshals in the Air Force are entitled to two Peugeot 508 cars or one Toyota Land Cruiser. Additionally, they receive two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards, one service orderly, two service drivers, and free medical treatment in Nigeria and abroad amounting to $20,000 yearly.
On the other hand, Major Generals, Rear Admirals, and Air Vice Marshals, who hold two-star officer positions, receive one Peugeot 508, a cook, a steward, two residential guards, one service orderly, one service driver, and free medical treatment in Nigeria and abroad equivalent to $15,000 annually.
For Brigadier Generals, Commodores, and Air Commodores, who are one-star officers, the retirement benefits include one Peugeot 408, a service driver, two residential guards, one service orderly, and free medical treatment locally and abroad, amounting to $10,000 each.
Retirement Windfall: Ex-service Chiefs Receive Lavish Benefits
The generous retirement benefits awarded to ex-service chiefs, including bulletproof SUVs, domestic aides, and medical coverage abroad has raised concerns following the number of generals the country has and the impact on the military structure.
President Bola Tinubu retired the Chief of Defence Staff and three service chiefs, granting them a retirement windfall that includes several perks and benefits.
These high-ranking military officers, General Lucky Irabor, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, and Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, will receive bulletproof Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), personal aides, and a host of other advantages.
The retirement benefits are outlined in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria 2017 (HTACOS 2017). However, this move has sparked controversy, with concerns about the increasing number of generals and its impact on the military structure.
According to the HTACOS 2017, the retired Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs are entitled to several benefits upon leaving their respective services. They will each receive a bulletproof SUV or an equivalent vehicle, which will be maintained and replaced every four years. Additionally, they will be provided with a Peugeot 508 or a similar backup vehicle. The retired officers will have the support of five domestic aides, including two service cooks, two stewards, and a civilian gardener.
Furthermore, the ex-service chiefs will have an Aide-de-Camp or a security officer, along with a special assistant or personal assistant of a certain rank. They will also be assigned nine standard guards comprised of soldiers. The retirement benefits extend to three service drivers, one service orderly, and escorts provided by appropriate military units or formations as required. Medical coverage, both in Nigeria and abroad, is included as well.
The HTACOS 2017 also permits the retired officers to retain their military uniforms and accoutrements for appropriate ceremonies, as well as personal firearms. However, the relevant services will retrieve the firearms upon the beneficiaries’ death.
Retirement Benefits For Different Ranks
The retirement benefits specified in the HTACOS 2017 differ based on the rank of the retiring officers. For Lieutenant Generals in the Army, Vice Admirals in the Navy, and Air Marshals in the Air Force, the benefits include two Peugeot 508 cars or one Toyota Land Cruiser, two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards, one service orderly, two service drivers, and free medical treatment in the country and abroad, amounting to $20,000 annually.
Major Generals, Rear Admirals, and Air Vice Marshals, who hold the rank of two-star officers, are entitled to one Peugeot 508, a cook, a steward, two residential guards, one service orderly, one service driver, and free medical treatment in Nigeria and abroad, valued at $15,000 per year.
Brigadier Generals, Commodores, and Air Commodores, the one-star officers, will receive one Peugeot 408, a service driver, two residential guards, one service orderly, and free medical treatment both locally and abroad, amounting to $10,000 each.
Colonels, Captains, and Group Captains in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, respectively, are expected to receive a Peugeot 301 or a car of similar value, along with free medical coverage within the country.
The HTACOS 2017 allows for the monetization of all benefits for retiring Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, Colonels, and their equivalents in the Navy and Air Force, giving them the option to choose a lump sum payment in lieu of the specified benefits. This provision allows for flexibility in managing the retirement benefits based on individual preferences.
Controversy Surrounding The Retirement Benefits
The retirement benefits granted to ex-service chiefs have sparked controversy and raised concerns among various stakeholders. One major point of contention is the increasing number of generals within the military structure. Critics argue that the proliferation of high-ranking officers could lead to an imbalance in the military hierarchy, with too many generals and insufficient opportunities for promotion and career advancement for lower-ranking officers. This could potentially impact the morale and efficiency of the armed forces.
Additionally, there are concerns about the financial implications of these retirement benefits. Some argue that the lavish perks and generous allowances granted to retired service chiefs place an unnecessary burden on the national budget. In a country where resources are limited, the allocation of significant funds for retirement benefits may be seen as disproportionate or even wasteful.
Another aspect of the controversy pertains to the perceived disparity between the retirement benefits of senior military officers and the conditions faced by lower-ranking personnel. Critics argue that the focus should be on improving the welfare and working conditions of all members of the armed forces, rather than disproportionately rewarding a select few. It is important to maintain a balance that ensures fairness and equitable treatment across the military hierarchy.
The retirement benefits bestowed upon ex-service chiefs in Nigeria, including bulletproof SUVs, personal aides, and medical coverage abroad, have attracted both attention and criticism.
While these benefits are outlined in the HTACOS 2017, concerns have been raised about the increasing number of generals and the potential impact on the military structure.
The allocation of resources for retirement benefits has also been a point of contention, with some advocating for a more balanced approach that prioritizes the welfare of all military personnel. As discussions and debates surrounding these issues continue, it remains to be seen whether any adjustments or reforms will be implemented to address the concerns raised.
