The federal government spent N38.188 billion in the last 22 years on the welfare of former presidents, heads of state, vice presidents and their families.
An online report said the money covered pensions, allowances, houses, vehicles, medical care and other benefits for both civilian and military leaders who once ruled the country.
In dollar value, the spending equals about $144.7 million, based on official exchange rates over the years.
Records reveal that the allocation rose sharply from N140 million in 2005 to N2.3 billion yearly from 2013 till 2026.
The highest spending was in 2012, when the Goodluck Jonathan administration budgeted N3.185 billion for ex-leaders’ welfare.
Between 2013 and 2025, the government consistently allocated N2.3 billion every year for the same purpose.
For 2026, another N2.3 billion has been proposed in the N58.47 trillion budget.
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Apart from welfare payments, the government also spent over N1.4 billion on vehicles for former presidents and vice presidents between 2016 and 2018.
Beneficiaries include Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Ibrahim Babangida, Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as former vice presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo and Yemi Osinbajo.
Families of deceased former leaders also benefit under the law, including those of Abacha, Murtala Mohammed, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Tafawa Balewa.
The welfare package is reviewed anytime the salary of a sitting president is increased.
