The Federal Government has allocated a sum of N27bn for the entitlements of former presidents, vice-presidents, heads of state, chiefs of staff, retired heads of service, and professors in the 2025 fiscal year, investigations by Saturday PUNCH have revealed.
Beneficiaries of this allocation include former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, alongside ex-vice-presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Others expected to benefit are ex-military Heads of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.) and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), as well as former military President, Ibrahim Babangida and retired Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe.
President Bola Tinubu presented the 2025 budget, titled ‘Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,’ to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The ambitious N49.70tn spending plan emphasises defence, infrastructure, and human capital development, with a projected N13.39tn deficit to be financed through borrowing.
While addressing the lawmakers, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to strengthen national security and overhaul critical infrastructure.
According to the appropriation bill documents obtained by Saturday PUNCH, the Federal Government earmarked N1.4tn for pensions, gratuities, and retirees’ benefits.
Of this sum, N2.3bn is designated for former presidents, heads of state, and vice-presidents, while retired heads of service and permanent secretaries would receive N10.5bn.
Retired professors in universities are set to receive N13.5bn, and retired heads of government agencies and parastatals would get N1bn, bringing the total to N27bn.
