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

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The Federal Government is set to have spent at least ₦38.188 billion on the welfare and upkeep of former presidents, vice presidents, and their families by the end of 2026.

Investigations by Saturday Vanguard reveal that this expenditure, spread across 22 years, is roughly equivalent to $144.722 million at current exchange rates.

Spending began with an allocation of ₦140 million in 2005 and increased steadily, reaching ₦2.3 billion annually from 2013. The highest recorded allocation was in 2012, when former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration budgeted ₦3.185 billion for the welfare of ex-leaders. The lowest was in 2008, with only ₦24 million earmarked, while 2007 figures were not officially disclosed but estimated at ₦102 million by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

From 2013 to 2025, the annual allocation remained at ₦2.3 billion, and the same amount has been proposed for 2026 under the ₦58.47 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill. This budget line, titled “Entitlements of former Presidents/Heads of State and Vice Presidents/Chiefs of General Staff,” covers pensions, allowances, and other statutory benefits for both civilian and military former leaders.

Beneficiaries

Among the beneficiaries are former civilian presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari, and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as former military heads of state Ibrahim Babangida, Yakubu Gowon, and Abdulsalami Abubakar. Former vice presidents listed include Atiku Abubakar (1999–2007), Namadi Sambo (2010–2015), and Yemi Osinbajo (2015–2023), along with Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd.), who served as de facto Vice President from 1985–1986.

Families of deceased former leaders—including Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Aguiyi-Ironsi, Murtala Muhammed, Sani Abacha, and Ernest Shonekan—are also constitutionally entitled to benefits.

In addition to annual welfare payments, the OSGF spent ₦432.193 million in 2017 and ₦986.19 million between 2016 and 2018 to purchase vehicles for seven former presidents and four former vice presidents. Each former leader, as an automatic member of the Council of State, reportedly earns ₦500,000 per meeting, held at least twice a year.

Legal Framework

The entitlement system for former leaders was introduced under Decree 32 of 1999 and formalized as the Remuneration of Former Presidents, Heads of Federal Legislative Houses and Chief Justices of the Federation Act in 2001. Amendments in 2008 and 2010 empowered the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to review benefits in line with economic realities.

Sections 70 and 84(4) of the 1999 Constitution, along with the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Act, provide the legal backing. Initially, former presidents and heads of state received ₦350,000 monthly, while former vice presidents and chiefs of general staff received ₦250,000 monthly. The Act also covers domestic staff, security aides, vehicles, and family allowances for deceased leaders.

Entitlements for Former Presidents

Each former president is entitled to:

An officer not below Chief Administrative Officer
A personal secretary not below Grade Level 12
Three to four armed policemen and one DSS officer not below Grade Level 10 as Aide de Camp
Three government-provided vehicles replaced every four years with drivers paid by the government
Free medical care in Nigeria, and abroad if necessary
A well-furnished office and five-bedroom residence of choice
30 days annual vacation at home or abroad

Entitlements for Former Vice Presidents

Each former vice president receives:

An officer not below Chief Administrative Officer
A personal secretary not below Grade Level 10
Two to three armed policemen and one DSS officer not below Grade Level 8 as Aide de Camp
Two vehicles replaced every four years with government-paid drivers
Free medical care for self and immediate family, domestically and abroad if necessary
30 days annual vacation at home or abroad
A modestly furnished office and a three-bedroom house of choice

The law mandates that remuneration is reviewed whenever the salaries of serving presidents and vice presidents increase, and the Federal Government makes annual budgetary provision for former leaders. In the event of death, families of former presidents receive ₦1 million annually, while families of former vice presidents receive ₦750,000 annually, distributed quarterly. These benefits also cover the spouse and children’s education up to the university level, with provisions ending if the spouse remarries.

Expenditure Over 22 Years