ABUJA — Nigeria’s Federal Government will have spent at least ₦38.188 billion on the welfare and statutory entitlements of former presidents, former heads of state, former vice presidents and their families over a 22-year period, according to a review of federal budget allocations reported by Saturday Vanguard.
The spending trail, which covers yearly provisions from 2005 through the 2026 fiscal year, reflects a sharp rise in allocations over time. Vanguard reports that the line item grew from ₦140 million in 2005 and hit a peak of ₦3.185 billion in 2012 under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, before settling at ₦2.3 billion annually from 2013 through 2025. The same ₦2.3 billion has again been proposed for 2026.
The 2026 allocation is contained in the proposed ₦58.47 trillion federal budget and appears under the description: “Entitlements of former Presidents/Heads of State and Vice Presidents/Chief of General Staff.” Budget reporting indicates the provision applies to both civilian and military former leaders, including living former presidents and military heads of state, as well as former vice presidents and equivalent military positions.
Beyond annual welfare provisions, the OSGF has periodically budgeted for logistics such as vehicle replacements. A 2017 budget provision cited by Vanguard put ₦432.193 million toward purchasing vehicles for former presidents/heads of state and former vice presidents.
The entitlements are underpinned by the Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (and other Ancillary Matters) Act (1999 No. 32), which provides for monthly “up-keep” allowances of ₦350,000 for former presidents/heads of state and ₦250,000 for former vice presidents/chiefs of general staff, alongside extensive perquisites including personal staff, security details, office support, vehicles and medical coverage.
Separate from these statutory benefits, media investigations have also highlighted a ₦500,000 sitting allowance paid to former leaders when they attend meetings of the Council of State, where they are statutory members.
Analysts say the recurring allocations underscore the durability of Nigeria’s post-office benefit regime even as fiscal pressures intensify, while critics argue the scale and structure of perks should be reviewed for transparency, value-for-money and alignment with current economic realities.
