Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government has allocated N27bn for entitlements of former presidents, vice-presidents, heads of state, chiefs of staff, retired heads of service, and professors in the 2025 fiscal year.
According to PUNCH, the beneficiaries include ex-presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, and ex-vice presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Other recipients are former military heads of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Ibrahim Babangida, and retired Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe.
President Bola Tinubu presented the N49.70tn 2025 budget, tagged ‘Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,’ to the National Assembly. With a N13.39tn deficit, the budget prioritises defence, infrastructure, and human capital development.
The allocation for pensions, gratuities, and retirees’ benefits stands at N1.4tn, with N2.3bn set aside for former presidents, heads of state, and vice-presidents. Retired heads of service and permanent secretaries are to receive N10.5bn, retired professors N13.5bn, and retired agency heads N1bn.
Other key pension allocations include:
- Military pensions and gratuities: N383.9bn
- Civilian pensions: N46bn
- Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate: N42bn
- Police pensions and gratuities: N10.4bn
Additionally, N43bn is earmarked for security debarment allowances, including arrears from 2017-2019. Gratuity arrears for 2019-2021 will receive N2.7bn, while pension arrears related to minimum wage adjustments total N330m.
The National Pension Commission will oversee N804.7bn, and provisions for death benefits include N35bn for military personnel, N4.2bn for civil servants, and N3.5bn for police officers.