President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved generous post-service benefits for recently retired military chiefs, including former Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa.
Under the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) 2024, a classified document signed by the President, each retired service chief will receive a bulletproof SUV, a Prado Jeep (or equivalent), and vehicle maintenance with replacements every four years. They will also enjoy a $20,000 annual medical allowance for treatment within or outside Nigeria.
The package includes five domestic aides, two cooks, two stewards, a gardener, a personal aide-de-camp or security officer, a personal assistant, three drivers, and nine guards. Retired chiefs may keep their ceremonial uniforms and personal firearms, which will be retrieved after death.
For other senior officers, Lieutenant Generals and equivalents will receive a Toyota Hilux and Land Cruiser plus $20,000 in annual medical cover. Major Generals and Brigadier Generals get a Land Cruiser and $15,000, while one-star generals are entitled to a Toyota Camry and $10,000 in annual medical allowance.
Meanwhile, Tinubu has appointed a new military leadership team. General Olufemi Oluyede is now Chief of Defence Staff, replacing Musa. Major-General W. Shaibu, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas take over as Chiefs of Army, Air, and Naval Staff respectively.
The reshuffle is expected to prompt the retirement of over 60 senior officers, as military custom bars them from serving under juniors. The Senate committees on Defence, Army, and Navy will begin screening the new service chiefs this week.
