RMAFC Proposes Pay Rise for Politicians, Labour Slams Move Amid Rising Hardship

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has revealed plans to review the salaries of political office holders in Nigeria, arguing that current earnings are outdated and inadequate given rising responsibilities and economic realities. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the commission’s chairman, Mohammed Shehu, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu earns N1.5 million monthly, while ministers receive less than N1 million—figures that have remained unchanged since 2008. He described the situation as untenable, pointing out that some agency heads earn ten to twenty times more than the President and Attorney-General of the Federation.

Shehu stressed that the commission’s constitutional mandate is limited to fixing remuneration for political, judicial, and legislative office holders, not civil servants. He argued that while the public may resist salary increases for politicians, a realistic structure that reflects their duties is necessary. He also announced that RMAFC has commenced a long-overdue review of the vertical revenue-sharing formula, which has not been adjusted since 1992. The current arrangement allocates 52.68 percent of federally collected revenue to the federal government, 26.72 percent to states, 20.60 percent to local governments, and 4.18 percent to special funds. Past attempts to reform the formula under former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari stalled, despite recommendations from the commission.

Shehu assured that the current review process would be transparent, data-driven, and inclusive, involving the Presidency, National Assembly, state governors, ALGON, the judiciary, civil society, and development partners. With a new Act granting the commission financial autonomy, he expressed optimism that the process would finally move forward.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has sharply criticised the proposal, warning that it ignores worsening inequality and the hidden perks that already inflate political earnings. A senior NLC official noted that although the President’s official salary may stand at N1.5 million, allowances for housing, healthcare, travel, security, digital services, and other benefits push the actual package far higher—sometimes exceeding N100 million annually. The union insisted that government should publish these allowances alongside salaries for transparency.

Labour argued that while political leaders debate higher pay, ordinary Nigerians are battling surging living costs, with minimum wage earners struggling to survive. Even though the National Bureau of Statistics reported a drop in headline inflation for the fourth consecutive month—falling to 21.88 percent in July from 22.22 percent in June—food inflation remains a pressing concern at 22.74 percent year-on-year, leaving millions of citizens trapped in poverty while leaders live in luxury.