FG Spends N38.2bn on Welfare of Ex-Presidents, Deputies Over 22 Years

The Federal Government would have spent at least N38.188 billion on the welfare and upkeep of former presidents, heads of state, vice presidents and their families over a 22-year period, findings by Saturday Vanguard have shown.

Using official exchange rates across the years, the expenditure translates to about $144.72 million spent on the entitlements of Nigeria’s former leaders.

Records indicate that allocations for the welfare of ex-presidents and former vice presidents rose steadily from N140 million in 2005 to N2.3 billion annually from 2013, a figure that has remained unchanged through 2025. The highest allocation was recorded in 2012, when the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan budgeted N3.185 billion for the purpose, while the lowest was in 2008, with N24 million.

Although figures for 2007 were not officially disclosed, estimates from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) put spending at about N102 million that year.

In addition to annual entitlements, the OSGF in 2017 approved N432.193 million for the purchase of vehicles for seven former presidents or heads of state and four former vice presidents. Between 2016 and 2018, another N986.19 million was allocated for vehicle purchases for former leaders.

For 2026, the Federal Government has again proposed N2.3 billion in the N58.47 trillion Appropriation Bill for the payment of benefits and entitlements to former presidents, heads of state, vice presidents and chiefs of general staff. The budget item is listed as “Entitlements of former Presidents/Heads of State and Vice Presidents/Chief of General Staff” and covers pensions, allowances and other statutory benefits for both civilian and military leaders.

Beneficiaries include former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as former military heads of state Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. Former vice presidents listed include Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo and Yemi Osinbajo, alongside Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd.), who served as de facto vice president between 1985 and 1986.

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

Beyond annual welfare packages, each living former leader earns N500,000 per sitting as a Council of State meeting allowance whenever such meetings hold, usually at least twice a year.

Nigeria’s welfare scheme for former leaders dates back to Decree 32 of 1999, later enacted as the Remuneration of Former Presidents, Heads of Federal Legislative Houses and Chief Justices of the Federation Act. The law was amended in 2008 and 2010, with the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) empowered to periodically review entitlements in line with economic realities.

Under the law, former presidents were initially entitled to N350,000 monthly upkeep, while former vice presidents received N250,000, alongside benefits such as official residences, vehicles, security aides, domestic staff, medical care at home and abroad, and annual vacations. Similar provisions apply to families of deceased leaders, subject to conditions outlined in the Act.

Comparatively, the report noted that former US presidents currently receive pensions and benefits costing taxpayers $3–5 million annually, while ex-presidents in South Africa, India and the UK also enjoy extensive post-office welfare packages funded by the state.

Altogether, Nigeria’s cumulative spending on former leaders’ welfare from 2005 to 2026, including vehicle purchases, stands at N38.188 billion ($144.72 million).

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