Nigerians React to $20,000 Medical Treatment, Bullet-Proof SUVs for Retiring Service Chiefs

President Bola Tinubu has approved a generous retirement package for Nigeria’s service chiefs and generals, including $20,000 for foreign medical treatment, bullet-proof SUVs, and domestic aides, sparking controversy among various professional bodies. These benefits, outlined in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers and Enlisted Personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces, have raised concerns at a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic hardship and widespread insecurity.

Extravagant Benefits for Military Leaders: A Disconnection from Nigeria’s Economic Realities

The retirement perks, which were approved by President Tinubu on December 14, 2024, entitle the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and other service chiefs to a bulletproof SUV, which will be replaced every four years and maintained by the military. Additionally, the package includes a backup vehicle, domestic aides, and guards. The retired officers will also receive a special assistant, personal assistant, multiple service drivers, and residential staff, such as cooks, stewards, and gardeners.

In a move that has garnered significant attention, service chiefs retiring as lieutenant generals or equivalent ranks are entitled to international and local medical treatment valued up to $20,000 annually. While specifics for the highest-ranking officers have not been disclosed, it is assumed their benefits will be considerably more lucrative.

Nigerians React to $20,000 Medical Treatment, Bullet-Proof SUVs for Retiring Service Chiefs

This extensive retirement package has not gone without criticism. Prof. Bala Audu, President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), criticized the government for providing medical treatment abroad for retiring officials. He emphasized that all retirement benefits, including medical care, should be provided within Nigeria, stating, “If they want to give them government-benefited medical treatment, cooks, or whatever, I think they should give them all their benefits in Nigeria.”

Similarly, Prof. Muhammad Muhammad, President of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), expressed concerns that the decision to grant foreign medical treatment indicated a lack of confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system. “This also means that the government does not have confidence in the Nigerian healthcare system,” he argued, calling for a focus on improving local healthcare services to build public trust.

A Troubling Disconnect: Is This the Right Time for Such Lavish Benefits?

The lavish perks for the military brass come under scrutiny from various quarters. Dr. Tope Osundara, President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), pointed out the irony that Nigerian leaders seek medical treatment abroad while local healthcare remains underfunded and underdeveloped. He noted, “What is stopping the government from providing state-of-the-art equipment in our hospitals or upgrading the hospitals?”

Meanwhile, citizens and advocates like Friday Odeh, Country Director at Accountability Lab Nigeria, have expressed alarm over the extravagance of the retirement packages. “Millions of Nigerians struggle with poverty and failing public services, yet resources are being funneled into luxuries for a select few,” Odeh remarked, questioning whether the service chiefs’ contributions to national security justified such lavish rewards. He also raised concerns over the government’s priorities, noting that insecurity still plagues many regions of the country despite years of military efforts.

A Call for Accountability: Reassessing Government Priorities Amid Economic Crisis

Okechukwu Nwaguma, Executive Director of the Rule of Law Advocacy and Accountability Centre, echoed similar sentiments, pointing to the stark contrast between the government’s actions and the struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians. He warned that such retirement perks could deepen public disenchantment and alienate citizens. “This disparity can deepen public disenchantment with the government,” Nwaguma said, calling for a shift in policies that better reflect the needs of the people.

As debates continue over the lavish retirement packages for Nigeria’s military leaders, there is a growing call for the government to prioritize the welfare of citizens, particularly by investing in local healthcare and addressing pressing issues like insecurity and poverty. Critics argue that the focus on extravagant benefits for a select few should be reassessed in favor of broader public welfare and the future stability of the nation.