FG Spends ₦38.2 Billion on Welfare of Former Presidents, Vice Presidents in 22 Years

Investigations have revealed that the Federal Government of Nigeria has spent no less than ₦38.188 billion on the welfare, pensions, and statutory entitlements of former presidents, heads of state, vice presidents, and their families over a 22-year period. The expenditure, which spans from 2005 to 2026, underscores the long-standing policy of providing post-office benefits to past national leaders in line with existing laws and constitutional provisions.

Checks by Saturday Vanguard indicate that, when converted using official exchange rates across the years under review, the total amount expended on the upkeep of former leaders amounts to approximately $144.722 million. This figure includes pensions, allowances, medical care, housing provisions, vehicles, domestic staff, security details, and other related entitlements as stipulated by law.

Records show that allocations for former leaders have risen significantly over time. In 2005, the federal government budgeted ₦140 million for these entitlements. By 2013, annual allocations had surged to ₦2.3 billion, a figure that has remained consistent through 2025 and is also proposed for 2026. The highest allocation was recorded in 2012, when the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan budgeted ₦3.185 billion for the welfare of ex-leaders. The lowest allocation occurred in 2008, when just ₦24 million was earmarked for the same purpose.

In addition to regular welfare payments, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has periodically approved funds for the purchase of vehicles for former leaders. Between 2016 and 2018 alone, ₦986.19 million was spent on procuring cars for seven former presidents or heads of state and four former vice presidents. Earlier, in 2017, an additional ₦432.193 million was allocated for vehicle purchases for the same category of beneficiaries.

For the 2026 fiscal year, the federal government has proposed ₦2.3 billion under the ₦58.47 trillion Appropriation Bill to cover the entitlements of former presidents, heads of state, vice presidents, and chiefs of general staff. Budget documents show that the provision applies to both civilian and military leaders and covers pensions, allowances, and other statutory benefits.

Living beneficiaries of the welfare package include former civilian presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as former military heads of state General Ibrahim Babangida, General Yakubu Gowon, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar. Former vice presidents benefiting from the scheme include Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Yemi Osinbajo. Also listed is Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd.), who served as de facto Vice President during the Babangida military regime between 1985 and 1986.

Families of deceased former leaders are also entitled to benefits under the law. These include the families of late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, General Aguiyi-Ironsi, General Murtala Muhammed, General Sani Abacha, and Chief Ernest Shonekan, among others. Deceased former vice presidents and chiefs of general staff, including Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, and Lt. General Oladipo Diya, are also covered.

Beyond pensions and allowances, former leaders who are members of the Council of State receive ₦500,000 each time they attend council meetings, which are held at least twice annually to deliberate on key national issues.

The welfare framework for former leaders dates back to 1999, when it was introduced through Decree 32, later transformed into the Remuneration of Former Presidents, Heads of Federal Legislative Houses and Chief Justices of the Federation Act. The law has since been amended, with the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) empowered to review entitlements in line with economic realities and salary adjustments for serving presidents.

Under the law, former presidents are entitled to monthly upkeep allowances, fully furnished residences, medical care at home and abroad, security details, vehicles replaced every four years, and domestic staff. Former vice presidents receive similar, though slightly reduced, benefits. Provisions also exist for the education and upkeep of children and spouses of deceased leaders, subject to certain conditions.

Nigeria’s policy mirrors practices in other countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and India, where former leaders receive pensions and post-service benefits aimed at preserving the dignity of public office. However, the scale and sustainability of such expenditures continue to spark debate, particularly amid economic challenges and competing national priorities.