By the end of this year, the Federal Government would have spent, at least, N38.188 billion on the up-keep of former presidents, vice presidents and their families, over a period of 22 years, Saturday Vanguard’s checks have revealed.
Based on official exchange rates across the various years, the welfare of former leaders and their families has cost Nigeria $144.722 million in 22 years.
From N140 million in 2005, funds allocated to entitlements of former presidents/heads of state, former vice presidents or chiefs of general staff have risen rapidly to hit N2.3 billion since 2013 (See table).
The peak was in 2012 when the Dr Goodluck Jonathan’s Administration budgeted N3.185 billion for the welfare of the ex-leaders.
The lowest allocation was in 2008 when N24 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 N102 million. Between 2013 and 2025, the allocation was constant at N2.3 billion for each year.
Also, in 2017, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF, allocated the sum of N432.193 million for the purchase of cars for the nation’s seven former presidents/heads of state and four vice presidents.Car dealership
For 2026, the federal government has proposed N2.3bn for the payment of benefits and entitlements to Nigeria’s former presidents, heads of state, and their deputies.
This is according to details contained in the 2026 N58.47 trillion Appropriation Bill under the item tagged: “Entitlements of former Presidents/Heads of State and Vice Presidents/Chief of General Staff.”
The allocation covers pensions, allowances, and other statutory benefits.
Budget documents show that the N2.3 billion provision applies to both civilian and military former leaders of the country.
Beneficiaries include former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, 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 Doya
N500, 000 Council of State meeting allowance
Apart from the N38.188 billion welfare package, each of the former leaders, who is an automatic member of the Council of State 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.
Car purchase
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.Car dealership
Origins of the welfare package
Adapted from the United States of America, which has an elaborate welfare package for former rulers, Nigeria started paying entitlements to former presidents by Decree 32 of 1999.
In 2001, it became the Remuneration of former Presidents, heads of Federal legislative Houses and Chief Justices of the Federation (and other Ancillary Matters) Act.
The Act was further amended by the National Assembly in 2008 and 2010 with the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC mandated to fix the remunerations of the ex-leaders from time to time in line with economic realities especially whenever the salary of the serving president is raised.