The Federal Government has spent about N38.188 billion on the upkeep of former presidents, heads of state and vice presidents and their families over the past 22 years, a Vanguard analysis of federal budgets has shown.
The figure covers statutory benefits, allowances and related entitlements from 2005 to 2026.
Budget details show that this spending is the accumulated total of annual allocations meant for pensions, allowances, medical care, security, housing and other statutory entitlements for Nigeria’s former leaders.
Based on official exchange rates over the years, this spending equals about $144.722 million.
According to Vanguard’s review, the lowest recorded allocation was N24 million in 2008. The allocation rose significantly in subsequent years and stabilised at N2.3 billion per year from 2013 through the 2026 proposed budget.
The highest allocation recorded in the period was N3.185 billion in 2012 under the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
The tally includes provisions in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, where the government has again budgeted N2.3 billion under the line item titled “Entitlements of former Presidents/Heads of State and Vice Presidents/Chiefs of General Staff.”
This covers pensions, allowances and statutory benefits for both civilian and military leaders.
Beneficiaries of the allocations include former presidents such as Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, and former military heads of state like General Yakubu Gowon, General Ibrahim Babangida, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
The entitlements also apply to former vice presidents and their equivalents in the military chain of command. Among those listed are Atiku Abubakar (Vice President 1999–2007), Namadi Sambo (2010–2015) and Yemi Osinbajo (2015–2023).
Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd.), who acted in an equivalent vice-presidential military role in the 1980s, is also included.
Deceased former presidents entitled to benefits for their families include national figures such as Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, General Aguiyi-Ironsi, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, General Murtala Mohammed, General Sani Abacha and Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Former vice presidents or chiefs of staff whose families may benefit include Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and Lt-Gen. Oladipo Diya.
Budget details also show additional related costs:
Council of State meeting allowances: Each former leader earns N500,000 for attending periodic meetings of the Council of State, which advises the president.
Security, housing and office perks: Former leaders receive lifetime security guards, furnished homes, office space, medical care and vehicles, as provided by law.
The legal basis for these entitlements stems from the Certain Political Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries, Allowances, etc.) Act and amendments, which outline pensions, allowances and privileges for former officeholders and their spouses.
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) periodically reviews the benefits in line with changes to serving presidents’ salaries.
Analysts and civil society groups often scrutinise such allocations, especially as Nigeria faces fiscal pressure, growing debt and public demand for better use of public funds.
Observers say these figures highlight the significant long-term cost of statutory entitlements for former leaders in a period marked by competing developmental priorities.
