FG Budgets N2.3 Billion for Ex-Presidents and Deputies’ Entitlements in 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has proposed an allocation of N2.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Bill for the benefits and entitlements of the nation’s former presidents, heads of state, and their deputies. This provision, detailed under the line item “Entitlements of former Presidents/Heads of State and Vice Presidents/Chief of General Staff,” covers statutory pensions, allowances, and other benefits for former top officeholders.
Budget documents confirm the allocation applies to both civilian and military former leaders. Beneficiaries include former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, alongside former military heads of state like General Ibrahim Babangida, General Yakubu Gowon, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar. The provision also extends to former vice presidents, including Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, Yemi Osinbajo, and Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe, who served in a similar capacity from 1985 to 1986.
This allocation forms part of a broader pattern of recurrent expenditure for retired senior officials. In a significant parallel outlay, the government allocated N24.79 billion for retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries. Furthermore, N1 billion was set aside for severance benefits for retired heads of government agencies. As Afenifere raises alarm over fiscal pressures, such expenditures consistently attract public scrutiny, especially amid national economic challenges. The discussion around these allocations often highlights concerns about public sector cost management, particularly as Nigeria becomes a net importer of critical goods and faces revenue shortfalls.
The entitlements are determined by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and are legally mandated, covering areas such as housing, medical care, and security. While a group denies planned changes to this framework, the 2026 provision represents a continuation of existing policy rather than a new direction. These budgetary items persist even as the nation contends with complex issues, from the intricacies of aeropolitics without policy backing to broader socio-economic strains. The 2026 budget, presented by President Bola Tinubu in December 2025, already carries a substantial deficit of N23.85 trillion, ensuring that debates over fiscal priorities and sustainability will remain prominent.
