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Nigeria’s former presidents, vice presidents and their families have cost the country an estimated ₦38.2 billion in pensions, allowances and other statutory benefits over a 22-year period, according to an analysis of federal budget documents.
When converted using official exchange rates for the respective years, the total spending amounts to about $144.7 million, according to a Vanguard report that reviewed budget provisions from 2005 to 2026.
Budget records show that allocations for the upkeep of former presidents, heads of state, former vice presidents and chiefs of general staff have risen since 2005.
Spending stood at ₦140 million in 2005, increased gradually in subsequent years, and reached ₦2.3 billion annually from 2013, a level that has remained unchanged through 2025.
The highest allocation was recorded in 2012, when the administration of Goodluck Jonathan budgeted ₦3.185 billion for the welfare of former leaders.
The lowest allocation was ₦24 million in 2008. Official figures for 2007 were not disclosed, although estimates from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) put the amount at about ₦102 million.
“The peak was in 2012 when the Dr Goodluck Jonathan Administration budgeted ₦3.185 billion for the welfare of the ex-leaders,” the report read.
“The lowest allocation was in 2008 when ₦24 million was allocated. The figure for 2007 was not disclosed, but unconfirmed estimates from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF’s office, put the figure at ₦102 million. Between 2013 and 2025, the allocation was constant at ₦2.3 billion for each year.”
For 2026, the government has again proposed N2.3 billion under the budget line titled “Entitlements of Former Presidents/Heads of State and Vice Presidents/Chiefs of General Staff” in the N58.47 trillion Appropriation Bill.
The provision covers pensions, allowances and other statutory benefits for both civilian and military former leaders.
Beneficiaries listed in budget documents, according to the Vanguard report, include “former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as former military heads of state General Ibrahim Babangida, General Yakubu Gowon, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar.”
“The allocation also extends to former vice presidents and equivalent military positions. Named beneficiaries include Atiku Abubakar, who served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007; Namadi Sambo, Vice President between 2010 and 2015; and Yemi Osinbajo, who served from 2015 to 2023.
“Also included is Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, retd, who functioned as de facto Vice President between 1985 and 1986 during the Babangida military regime.
“Deceased ex-presidents, whose families are constitutionally expected to reap from the largesse, are Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (prime minister), General Aguiyi-Ironsi, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (ceremonial president), General Murtala Muhammed, General Sani Abacha and Chief Ernest Shonekan. Deceased former vice presidents or chiefs of general staff were Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, Dr Alex Ekwueme and Lt General Oladipo Diya.”
In addition to welfare payments, Vanguard reports that “Apart from the N38.188 billion welfare package, each of the former leaders, who is an automatic member of the Council of State, collects N500,000 whenever he attends the meeting that holds periodically, at least twice yearly, to deliberate and take decisions on crucial issues affecting the country.
“Apart from these entitlements, the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation allocated the sum of N986.19 million between 2016 and 2018 for the purchase of cars for the nation’s seven former presidents/heads of state and four vice presidents.”
The legal basis for the welfare package dates back to Decree 32 of 1999, later replaced by the Remuneration of Former Presidents, Heads of Federal Legislative Houses and Chief Justices of the Federation (and Other Ancillary Matters) Act.
Amendments in 2008 and 2010 empowered the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to periodically review the entitlements in line with changes to the remuneration of serving officeholders.
Under the law, former presidents and vice presidents are entitled to monthly upkeep allowances, residential accommodation, office facilities, security details, vehicles, medical care and annual vacations. The provisions also extend to spouses and children of deceased former leaders, subject to conditions outlined in the legislation.
The Act states: “As from the commencement of this Act, all former-Presidents and Heads of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (in this Act referred to as “former Heads of State”) shall be-(i) paid the sum of N350,000 per month as up-keep allowance; and (ii) entitled to the perquisites of office specified in Part I of the Schedule to this Act; and (b)Vice-Presidents and Chiefs of General Staff of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (in this Act referred to as “former Vice-Presidents”) shall be- (i) paid the sum of N250,000 per month as up-keep allowance; and (ii) entitled to the perquisites of office specified in Part II of the Schedule to this Act.’’
