Budget: Ex-presidents, former VPs, and others receive a maintenance allowance worth N13.8bn.

The upkeep of former presidents, vice presidents, chiefs of state, chiefs of general staff, retired heads of service, permanent secretaries, and retired heads of government agencies and parastatals is funded by the Federal Government with N13,805,814,220 for the fiscal year 2024.

The beneficiaries include former vice presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as well as former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari.

The beneficiaries of the windfall include General Yakubu Gowon, General Abdusalami Abubakar, General Ibrahim Babangida, and Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd.), a former chief of staff.

N1 trillion has also been set aside for government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies’ public service wage adjustments (including arrears on promotions and salary increases, payment of severance benefits, and adjustments linked to the minimum wage).

Past presidents, state leaders, and vice presidents, as well as chiefs of staff and general secretaries, would receive benefits worth N2.3 billion, while professors, permanent secretaries, and retired heads of state will receive benefits worth N10.5 billion.

An estimated N1 billion would be spent on severance payments to retiring leaders of parastatals and government organisations.

Additional financing comes in the form of N1 billion for the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Energy, N108 billion for unidentified special projects, and N65 billion for the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which aims to reintegrate reformed ex-militants.

In addition, the government is suggesting that N40 billion be used to balance the electrical arrears that all MDAs owe power distribution companies.