By Abubakar Suleiman Rimi Uku Lafia
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved an enhanced retirement package for recently retired top military officers, including the former Chief of Defence Staff and two other service chiefs, as part of the newly signed Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) 2024.
According to the document, each retired service chief will receive a bulletproof Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a Prado Jeep or equivalent vehicle, which will be maintained and replaced every four years by their respective services.
In addition, the package includes an annual medical allowance of $20,000, covering treatment both within and outside Nigeria.
The HTACOS document, marked “Restricted,” outlines the full entitlements of retired top military officers. It further provides that each retired Chief of Defence Staff and service chief will retain five domestic aides, one security officer, nine guards, three official drivers, a service orderly, and a personal assistant.
They will also retain their ceremonial uniforms and firearms, which are to be retrieved by the military upon their demise.
For other senior officers, the benefits vary according to rank. Under the same terms:
Lieutenant-Generals are entitled to a Toyota Hilux and a Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent, two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards, and $20,000 in annual medical allowance.
Major-Generals and Brigadier-Generals will each receive a Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent, domestic aides, guards, and $15,000 medical cover.
One-star officers are to receive a Toyota Camry or equivalent vehicle and $10,000 in annual medical allowance.
The development comes shortly after President Tinubu approved a sweeping shake-up of the military high command, relieving the former service chiefs of their duties and appointing new ones.
The newly appointed officers include General Olufemi Oluyede as 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. Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Military sources suggest that the recent appointments could prompt a wave of voluntary and mandatory retirements among senior officers, particularly those from Nigerian Defence Academy Courses 39 to 41, in line with long-standing military tradition that prevents senior officers from serving under juniors.
Over 60 generals are expected to exit the service as a result of the new changes.
Meanwhile, the Senate Joint Committee on Defence, Army, and Navy is set to commence the screening of the newly appointed service chiefs, during which the nominees are expected to outline their strategic plans for tackling insecurity and strengthening national defence.
