FG allocates ₦27bn for entitlements of ex-Presidents, VPs, others

The Federal Government has allocated ₦27 billion in the 2025 fiscal year for the entitlements of former presidents, vice presidents, heads of state, retired heads of service, and professors.

This allocation includes payments for notable figures such as former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, alongside ex-vice presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The allocation also covers ex-military heads of state, including Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), and former military President Ibrahim Babangida, as well as retired Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe.

This move was included in President Bola Tinubu’s 2025 budget, titled ‘Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,’ which he presented to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

The budget, totaling ₦49.70 trillion, emphasizes defense, infrastructure, and human capital development, with a projected ₦13.39 trillion deficit to be financed through borrowing.

Within the budget, ₦1.4 trillion has been earmarked for pensions, gratuities, and retirees’ benefits. Specifically, ₦2.3 billion is allocated for former presidents, heads of state, and vice presidents, while retired heads of service and permanent secretaries will receive ₦10.5 billion.

Retired professors in universities are set to receive ₦13.5 billion, and retired heads of government agencies and parastatals will get ₦1 billion. The total allocation for these groups amounts to ₦27 billion.

Additionally, the budget allocates ₦46 billion for civilian pensions under the Office of the Head of Civil Service, ₦383.9 billion for military pensions and gratuities, and ₦66.8 billion for expected retirees.

Administrative charges, pension running costs, and medical retirees are also covered, with allocations of ₦434 million, ₦596 million, and ₦870 million respectively.

The budget further allocates ₦500 billion for various social investment programs, including the student loan scheme, National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy, National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, and the Consumer Credit Fund initiatives, with ₦50 billion specifically set aside for the student loan scheme.