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₦38.1bn Gone: FG Spends Big On Welfare Of Obasanjo, Buhari, Jonathan In 22 Years.

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The Federal Government is projected to have spent at least ₦38.188 billion on the welfare, benefits and upkeep of former presidents, vice presidents and their families by the end of 2026.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

An examination of official budget records shows that the expenditure, spread across a 22-year period, translates to about $144.72 million at current exchange rates.

Spending on entitlements for former presidents, heads of state, vice presidents and chiefs of general staff has risen significantly over the years. From an allocation of ₦140 million in 2005, the figure climbed steadily, reaching a flat annual provision of ₦2.3 billion from 2013 onward.

The highest allocation was recorded in 2012, when the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan budgeted ₦3.185 billion for the welfare of past leaders. The lowest allocation came in 2008, when only ₦24 million was provided. Although figures for 2007 were not officially published, estimates from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) placed spending at about ₦102 million.

Between 2013 and 2025, the annual allocation remained unchanged at ₦2.3 billion. For 2026, the Federal Government has again proposed ₦2.3 billion for the payment of benefits and entitlements to former presidents, heads of state and their deputies.

The provision is contained in the ₦58.47 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill under the budget line titled “Entitlements of former Presidents/Heads of State and Vice Presidents/Chief of General Staff.” Budget documents indicate that the funds cover pensions, allowances and other statutory benefits for both civilian and military former leaders.

List Of Beneficiaries

Those entitled to the benefits include former civilian presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as former military heads of state Ibrahim Babangida, Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Former vice presidents listed are Atiku Abubakar (1999–2007), Namadi Sambo (2010–2015) and Yemi Osinbajo (2015–2023). Also included is retired Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, who served as de facto Vice President between 1985 and 1986 during the Babangida administration.

Families of deceased former leaders—among them Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Aguiyi-Ironsi, Murtala Muhammed, Sani Abacha and Ernest Shonekan—are also constitutionally entitled to benefit from the scheme.

Beyond annual welfare payments, the OSGF spent ₦432.193 million in 2017 and a further ₦986.19 million between 2016 and 2018 on the purchase of vehicles for seven former presidents or heads of state and four former vice presidents.

In addition, each former leader, as an automatic member of the Council of State, reportedly receives ₦500,000 per meeting, with the council sitting at least twice a year.

Legal Basis For The Entitlements

Nigeria’s framework for compensating former leaders was introduced under Decree 32 of 1999 and later enacted as the Remuneration of Former Presidents, Heads of Federal Legislative Houses and Chief Justices of the Federation Act in 2001. The law was subsequently amended in 2008 and 2010, granting the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) the authority to periodically review the benefits in line with economic conditions.

The entitlement regime is backed by Sections 70 and 84(4) of the 1999 Constitution, as well as the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Act.

At inception, the law stipulated a monthly upkeep allowance of ₦350,000 for each former president or head of state, while former vice presidents and former chiefs of general staff were entitled to ₦250,000 monthly, alongside other perquisites outlined in the Act.

For Former Presidents

Each former president is entitled to a chief administrative officer, a personal secretary not below Grade Level 12, three to four armed policemen, and a DSS aide-de-camp for life. They are also provided with three government-funded vehicles to be replaced every four years, as well as drivers paid by the Federal Government.

Additional benefits include free medical care for themselves and their immediate families within Nigeria, overseas medical treatment when necessary at government expense, a fully furnished office and a five-bedroom house in any location of their choice in Nigeria, as well as a 30-day annual vacation at home or abroad.

For Former Vice Presidents

Former vice presidents are entitled to a chief administrative officer, a personal secretary not below Grade Level 10, two to three armed policemen, and a DSS aide-de-camp for life. They are provided with two vehicles to be replaced every four years, with drivers paid by the Federal Government.

They and their immediate families are also entitled to free medical treatment within Nigeria and abroad when required, a 30-day annual vacation at government expense, a furnished office and a three-bedroom house in any location of their choice in Nigeria.

Under the amended law, the remuneration of former leaders is subject to review whenever there is an increase in the salaries of serving presidents and vice presidents, with annual budgetary provisions mandated for these payments.

In the event of death, the family of a former president was initially entitled to ₦1 million annually, paid quarterly, while the family of a deceased former vice president received ₦750,000 annually. These allowances were meant to cover the upkeep of spouses and the education of children up to university level, with the benefit ceasing if a spouse remarries.

Breakdown Of Spending Over 22 Years

Between 2005 and 2026, annual allocations ranged from as low as ₦24 million in 2008 to a peak of ₦3.185 billion in 2012, before stabilising at ₦2.3 billion yearly from 2013. In total, welfare payments and related expenses, including vehicle purchases amounting to about ₦1.418 billion, bring cumulative spending to ₦38.188 billion over the 22-year period.

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Isaac Fayose Sends Fresh Message To Sowore After Ekiti Attack, Urges Him To Join Peter Obi

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Isaac Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, has called on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore to join forces with Peter Obi and other opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Fayose argued that Sowore could not effectively challenge the government on his own, urging opposition figures to set aside their political differences and work together.

He made the appeal while reacting to the attack on Sowore in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

In a video posted on his verified Facebook page on Friday, Fayose condemned the incident and warned that it highlighted the risks opposition figures could face in the country.

The social media critic said other opposition leaders could experience similar attacks if they failed to unite against the government.

“Sowore, you can’t fight alone. You need to unite with Peter Obi and other opposition figures. What happened to you in Ekiti can happen to anyone. This government does not want opposition,” Fayose said.

The businessman also urged security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack, insisting that they must face justice.

Recall that Sowore had accused the Ekiti State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) of removing CCTV footage showing the attack on him in Ado-Ekiti.

The AAC presidential candidate alleged that the removal of the footage was an attempt to conceal evidence of the incident and shield those responsible.

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‘Voice Of Jacob, Hand Of Esau’ – Reuben Abati Raises Alarm Over Speculations In Uzodinma’s Court Case

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Former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, has questioned whether the circumstances surrounding the court judgment that nullified Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s candidacy for the Imo West Senatorial District election reflected what some have described as the “voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau”.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday, Abati examined the controversy surrounding the ruling and warned against making unsubstantiated claims about possible external influence on the judiciary.

The former presidential aide stressed that the legal battle was not yet over, pointing to the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which rejected the judgment and indicated its intention to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

Abati explained that the Imo APC had raised constitutional concerns relating to Section 285, particularly the provision stipulating that pre-election cases must be instituted within 14 days.

According to him, the party argued that Senator Rochas Okorocha, who challenged Uzodimma’s candidacy, failed to file the case within the constitutionally prescribed period.

He noted that the Court of Appeal would have the opportunity to review issues surrounding the procedure, timing, technicalities and evidence presented before the lower court.

Abati maintained that the legal questions raised by the Imo APC should be resolved through the appellate process rather than through speculation about the circumstances surrounding the judgment.

He said, “So the matter is not ended yet. They will go to the Appeal Court, and then, the Appeal Court will be able to look at the issues either about procedure, about timing, about technicality, about evidence, how evidence was filed, and whether the procedure should have been originating summons or another thing.

“That’s the purpose of an Appeal Court.

“Finally on that subject is the fact this is the voice of Jacob and the hand Esau, without putting on the table the implications of that caveat, because I’ve seen some people saying there are questions to be raised about some people having powers over the judiciary. But we cannot speculate in that regard.”

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Pat Utomi Drops Details Of Peter Obi’s Strategy To Bring Down Food Prices.

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A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Pat Utomi, has said the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, plans to strengthen the naira to ₦500 against the US dollar if elected president.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

As of Friday, the naira traded at ₦1,346.86 per dollar on the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), while the dollar exchanged for approximately ₦1,385 in the parallel market.

In a post on X, Utomi explained that strengthening the naira from about ₦1,350 to ₦500 per dollar would help tackle inflation, reduce poverty and improve Nigerians’ purchasing power.

He described the proposed exchange rate as a key component of Obi’s economic agenda ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Utomi projected that the price of a loaf of sliced bread could fall from ₦1,750 to ₦800, while a 50kg bag of imported rice could drop from ₦55,000 to ₦27,500.

He further estimated that a medium-sized tuber of yam could decline from ₦2,400 to ₦1,200, while a 50kg bag of maize could reduce from ₦75,000 to ₦37,500.

According to him, the price of a bunch of plantain could also fall from ₦2,500 to ₦1,250, while a whole chicken could become cheaper, dropping from ₦7,000 to ₦3,500.

The NDC chieftain also listed petrol and cement among the commodities expected to become more affordable under the proposed economic programme.

Utomi said the party was convinced that targeting a strategic appreciation of the exchange rate by strengthening the naira from ₦1,350 to ₦500 per dollar would be a winning strategy.

“We are convinced that targeting a strategic appreciation of the exchange rate by reasonably strengthening it from ₦1,350/$ to ₦500/$ as part of our manifesto is a winning strategy.

“It offers a direct, multi-faceted approach to curbing inflation, reducing poverty, and lowering the cost of living,” he said.

He added that the proposal reflects the party’s commitment to improving the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly those affected by multidimensional poverty.

“It clearly demonstrates our concrete plan to uplift the 140 million Nigerians currently experiencing multi-dimensional poverty,” he said.

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