The recently retired Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, along with the outgoing Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, are set to receive extensive retirement benefits following their removal.
These include bulletproof vehicles, domestic aides, and lifetime medical care.
Their exit followed President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of new service chiefs on Friday.
General Olufemi Oluyede is the new Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General W. Shaibu takes over as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke becomes Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas is now Chief of Naval Staff.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his position.
According to the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTCOS) for officers, service chiefs are entitled to generous retirement packages, including One bulletproof SUV and a backup Peugeot 508, with the SUV replaced every four years, Five domestic aides (two cooks, two stewards, one gardener), a personal assistant, and an aide-de-camp/security officer, Three service drivers, a service orderly, a nine-man guard unit, and retention of personal firearms to be retrieved upon death and Medical care both in Nigeria and abroad, with senior officers’ coverage reportedly higher than the standard $20,000 per year allowed for lieutenant-generals.
The policy specifies that benefits apply only if retired officers do not accept other public appointments, except when assigned by the President.
Many retired soldiers have protested the disparity in treatment between senior officers and junior personnel.
Sgt. Zaki Williams, representing over 700 discharged soldiers, condemned the luxurious benefits for service chiefs while junior officers struggle for unpaid entitlements.
“After years of service, many of us can’t even afford land or build a house,” Williams said.
“We’ve waited for promises that never came. Meanwhile, the senior officers enjoy houses, cars, and other perks.”
Another retired officer, Abdul Isiak, described the situation as deeply unfair, noting that many junior officers have lost faith in the system.
Some have considered protesting again, while others have resigned themselves to silence.
Reports suggest that more than 50 senior officers across the Army, Air Force, and Navy may soon be forced into retirement following the appointments.
This follows military tradition, where officers senior to newly appointed service chiefs typically retire.
Sources indicate that officers from earlier courses (Courses 39 and 40) will be affected, opening vacancies and promotion opportunities for others.
The retention of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has drawn mixed reactions.
Chief Bode George, a PDP chieftain, argued that only the establishment of state police can address insecurity effectively, while noting that the President’s appointments reflect regional and ethnic balance.
Meanwhile, APGA and YPP praised the decision, stressing the President acted in the nation’s interest.
However, some observers expressed concerns that retaining the IGP, whose tenure is already overdue, could limit the introduction of fresh perspectives and reforms in the security sector.
