Retired Service Chiefs to Receive Bulletproof SUVs, Prado Jeeps, and $60,000 Medical Allowance Under New HTACOS

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved substantial retirement benefits for the recently retired Chief of Defence Staff and other service chiefs, including bulletproof SUVs, backup Prado Jeeps, and annual medical allowances amounting to $20,000 each for three years.

According to the newly revised Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) 2024, signed by President Tinubu, each retired service chief will receive one bulletproof SUV and one Prado Jeep, both to be maintained by their respective Services and replaced every four years. They will also retain personal firearms—retrieved upon death—and receive full medical coverage in Nigeria and abroad up to $20,000 annually.

The package further includes five domestic aides, a security officer, nine standard guards, three service drivers, an aide-de-camp, and a personal assistant. Retired officers will also keep their uniforms for ceremonial use.

The HTACOS document outlines similar entitlements for other retiring senior officers. Lieutenant-Generals and their equivalents will receive a Toyota Hilux and Land Cruiser or equivalent vehicles, free medical cover of up to $20,000 yearly, and multiple domestic and security aides. Major-Generals and Brigadier-Generals will get one Land Cruiser or its equivalent, a reduced number of aides, and $15,000 for annual medical cover. One-star officers will receive a Toyota Camry, driver, security aides, and medical benefits up to $10,000 annually.

The shake-up in the military follows President Tinubu’s decision to remove the service chiefs and appoint new ones. General Olufemi Oluyede has replaced General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff. Major-General W. Shaibu is now Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke becomes Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas takes over as Chief of Naval Staff. Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye remains Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The changes are expected to prompt the retirement of more than 60 senior officers as a result of military hierarchy conventions, which require generals senior to the newly appointed chiefs to retire. This will significantly increase the financial commitments of the Federal Government toward severance packages and benefits.

Meanwhile, the Senate is expected to begin screening the newly appointed service chiefs this week. The exercise will likely take place behind closed doors, with the nominees expected to outline plans to tackle the country’s persistent security challenges.

Commenting on the development, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, former Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigative Panel on Recovery of Public Property, described the reshuffle as a strategic move by President Tinubu to reinvigorate the military and strengthen national security. He noted that the shake-up reflects the president’s broader plan to balance geopolitical considerations and improve the country’s security architecture as he approaches the midpoint of his first term.