Allocation of N13.8 Trillion for Upkeep of Former Leaders and Other Expenditures in 2024 Budget

In the 2024 fiscal year, a total of N13,805,814,220 has been set aside for various purposes, including the upkeep of former presidents, vice presidents, heads of state, Chiefs of General Staff, retired heads of service, permanent secretaries, as well as retired heads of government agencies and parastatals.

This significant allocation is aimed at ensuring the welfare of these individuals.

Among the prominent beneficiaries of this allocation are former Nigerian Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as ex-vice presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Prof Yemi Osinbajo. Additionally, former military Heads of State General Yakubu Gowon and General Abdusalami Abubakar, former dictator General Ibrahim Babangida, and former Chief of General Staff Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd.) will also benefit from this financial provision.

Furthermore, the 2024 budget includes N1 trillion earmarked for the public service wage adjustment, covering government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. This allocation will address arrears of promotion and salary increases, as well as payment of severance benefits and adjustments related to the minimum wage.

Specifically, the entitlements of former presidents/heads of state and vice presidents/chief of general staff will amount to N2.3 billion, while N10.5 billion is proposed for benefits to retired heads of service, permanent secretaries, and professors.

The payment of severance benefits to retired heads of government agencies and parastatals is expected to cost N1 billion. Other notable allocations in the budget include N65 billion for the Presidential Amnesty Programme, aimed at facilitating the reintegration of transformed ex-militants, N1 billion for the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Energy, and N108 billion for unnamed special projects.

Additionally, the federal government has allocated N40 billion to settle electricity debts owed and Upkeep to power distribution companies by all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in 2024.

It should be noted that while N27 billion was budgeted in 2022 and N40 billion in 2023 for the same purpose, it is unclear whether payments were made to the Discos.

In terms of sectoral allocation, the Ministry of Works receives the largest share of the N8.7 trillion capital component of the N27.5 trillion 2024 budget, with an allocation of N521.3 billion.

The Ministry of Works is closely followed by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Defence, and others, which also receive significant portions of the budget for their respective projects and initiatives.