Outrage as RMAFC Proposes Pay Rise for Politicians Amid Economic Hardship

Plans by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to review and increase the salaries of Nigeria’s political office-holders have sparked anger among citizens, political parties, and civil society groups, who described the move as insensitive, provocative, and wrongly timed.

RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu had argued that the current earnings of the President and ministers were “outdated” and “inadequate” given rising responsibilities. He noted that President Bola Tinubu earns N1.5 million monthly while ministers earn less than N1 million, figures unchanged since 2008.

“You cannot pay a minister less than N1 million since 2008 and expect him to give his best,” Shehu said, adding that heads of agencies and the CBN governor earn far more than top political leaders.

Widespread Condemnation

The proposal has drawn sharp criticism across the political spectrum.

• Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF): Spokesman Prof. Tukur Baba described it as “disappointing, insensitive, and provocative”, warning it could trigger unrest in a country where most citizens live in poverty.
• African Democratic Congress (ADC): Said the move was “tone-deaf” and highlighted a disconnect between leaders and struggling Nigerians battling high food prices, fuel costs, and a weak minimum wage.
• Northern CAN: Called the plan “wicked and selfish”, questioning why leaders would consider pay increases while retirees, civil servants, and security personnel suffer unpaid or inadequate wages.
• Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): Branded the proposal “unconscionable”, noting that many Nigerians cannot survive on the newly approved N70,000 minimum wage, already eroded by inflation.
• New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP): Labelled the move a “moral failure,” urging politicians to emulate countries like New Zealand and Ireland where leaders cut their own pay during crises.
• All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) founder, Chekwas Okorie: Warned it could “provoke a revolution,” insisting the RMAFC should be considering salary cuts, not increases.
• Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP): Described the plan as a “misplaced priority,” accusing the RMAFC of serving the greed of elites while neglecting security personnel and ordinary workers.

Citizens’ Anger and Misplaced Priorities

Critics argue that political leaders already enjoy generous allowances, perks, and discretionary funds, while the majority of Nigerians survive on wages that cannot meet basic needs.

Elder Sunday Oibe of Northern CAN lamented: “What do they take Nigerians for? Retirees are dying unpaid, yet they think of rewarding themselves.”

The ADC further noted: “The Federal Government has no moral right to demand sacrifice from Nigerians while making life easier for themselves.”

A Growing Disconnect

Analysts warn that raising salaries for politicians at this time would deepen public mistrust and worsen Nigeria’s widening inequality gap.

As the PDP’s Timothy Osadolor put it: “How can a family survive on N70,000 when politicians pocket millions in perks? It is highly insensitive to raise this now, in the midst of hunger and inflation.”

With food prices soaring, the naira collapsing, and millions facing multidimensional poverty, calls are mounting for the government to abandon the proposal and instead prioritise raising workers’ wages, improving public services, and cutting the cost of governance.