Nigerians have expressed strong disapproval regarding President Bola Tinubu's recent approval of a substantial retirement package for military service chiefs and generals.
This package includes significant benefits such as an annual allowance of $20,000 for foreign medical treatment, bulletproof SUVs, and various domestic aides.
Critics argue that this decision is not only discriminatory but also insensitive, particularly in light of the widespread lack of access to basic and affordable healthcare among millions of Nigerians.
The announcement of this lavish retirement package coincided with protests by retired military personnel outside the Ministry of Finance, where they demanded the payment of their outstanding entitlements.
The retirees set up canopies and chairs, effectively blocking access to the ministry and disrupting regular operations as they voiced their frustrations.
Signed into law on December 14, 2024, as part of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers and Enlisted Personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces, the retirement package outlines extensive benefits for various ranks.
For instance, the Chief of Defence Staff and other service chiefs are entitled to a bulletproof SUV or equivalent vehicle, which will be maintained by the military and replaced every four years. Additionally, they are granted multiple domestic aides and free medical coverage both domestically and internationally.
The financial implications of this package have raised concerns among citizens who view it as a misallocation of resources amid Nigeria’s ongoing healthcare crisis.
Many believe that such funds should be redirected to improve healthcare infrastructure and services that would benefit the broader population rather than a select group of retired military leaders.
