President Bola Tinubu’s plan to grant generous retirement benefits to recently sacked service chiefs has sparked outrage among retired and serving junior military personnel, many of whom accuse the government of abandoning them.
Reports reveal that the former security heads — General Christopher Musa (Chief of Defence Staff), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff), and Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla (Chief of Naval Staff) — will receive luxurious post-service packages that include bulletproof vehicles, lifetime medical care, domestic aides, and other privileges.
Their exit followed President Tinubu’s October 24, 2025 decision to overhaul Nigeria’s military hierarchy, replacing the former chiefs with a new team of senior officers.
Tinubu’s New Military Lineup
| Position | Name | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) | Gen. Olufemi Oluyede | South West |
| Chief of Army Staff (COAS) | Maj.-Gen. W. Shaibu | North Central |
| Chief of Air Staff (CAS) | AVM Sunday Kelvin Aneke | South East |
| Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) | Rear Adm. I. Abbas | North West |
| Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) | Maj.-Gen. E.A.P. Undiendeye | South South |
According to the presidency, the shake-up was part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture and enhance coordination across the armed forces.
Inside the Exit Package: What the Sacked Service Chiefs Will Receive
The retirement benefits are reportedly contained in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTCOS) for Officers and Enlisted Personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, approved by President Tinubu in December 2024.
Each outgoing service chief is entitled to the following:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Vehicle | One bulletproof SUV, replaced every four years by the military. |
| Backup Vehicle | One Peugeot 508 or equivalent, maintained by the Service. |
| Domestic Staff | Two cooks, two stewards, and one gardener. |
| Personal Staff | One aide-de-camp/security officer, one personal assistant, and three drivers. |
| Security Detail | A standard guard unit of nine soldiers for 24-hour protection. |
| Medical Care | Free lifetime healthcare in Nigeria and abroad. |
| Personal Firearms | Retention of service firearms until death. |
| Uniforms | Full right to wear military uniforms during ceremonial events. |
The document also states that if a retired officer accepts another publicly funded role (unless appointed by the President), these privileges will be forfeited.
While the policy officially allows medical benefits worth up to $20,000 annually for top-ranking officers, analysts believe the true value of the service chiefs’ privileges far exceeds that amount.
“We Are Forgotten”: Junior Retirees Decry Deep Inequality
The announcement of the lavish packages has triggered anger and frustration among retired junior soldiers, who say they live in hardship despite dedicating their lives to national service.
“The people at the top always make rules to favour themselves,” lamented Sergeant Zaki Williams, who spoke on behalf of over 700 retired soldiers. “We risked our lives for this country, yet we are left to suffer.”
Williams said many retirees have waited years for pension arrears and gratuities, with repeated government promises yielding no results.
“How can someone retire after 25 years of service and still not get his entitlement?” he asked. “We can’t build homes, pay school fees, or afford medical care, while the generals get bulletproof cars.”
Another retired officer, Abdul Isiak, accused senior officials of frustrating efforts to improve the welfare of lower-ranking retirees.
“We’re not asking for SUVs or guards. We just want what’s rightfully ours — our pensions and gratuities. Many of us have died waiting,” he said.
Retired Soldiers Consider New Protests
Frustrated by years of unfulfilled promises, the retirees are now threatening to stage fresh nationwide protests.
“Some of us want to protest again, but others are afraid of harassment,” Williams said. “We’ve cried enough. If the government wants to help us, they should — if not, we leave everything to God.”
Many say they have lost faith in the system, accusing authorities of caring only for the elite while ignoring those who fought in the trenches.
More Military Shake-ups Coming
Meanwhile, top military sources confirm that a wave of compulsory retirements is imminent following the appointment of the new service chiefs.
| Expected Change | Details |
|---|---|
| Affected Officers | Over 50 senior officers, including generals, brigadiers-general, air vice-marshals, and admirals. |
| Reason | Military tradition requires officers senior to new service chiefs to retire. |
| Courses Involved | Only officers from Course 41 and below will remain in service. The new CDS is from Course 39, while other chiefs are from Course 40. |
| Impact | Opens up new promotions, postings, and reassignments within the armed forces. |
A Divided Military
While the presidency insists that the benefits for service chiefs comply with military policy, critics argue that the arrangement exposes a widening class divide within the armed forces.
For many like Sgt. Williams, the message is simple yet painful:
“We are not asking for bulletproof cars,” he said quietly. “We just want our dignity back.”
