By Esther Ososanya
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has hinted at raising the salaries of President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other political office holders even as millions of Nigerians battle hunger and inflation.
RMAFC chairman, Mohammed Shehu, told journalists in Abuja on Monday that President Tinubu currently earns N1.5 million monthly, while ministers receive less than N1 million figures he dismissed as “a joke” given their responsibilities.
“You are paying the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria N1.5m a month, with a population of over 200 million people. Everybody believes that it is a joke,” Shehu said.
He argued that while heads of agencies such as the Central Bank governor earn nearly ten times more, ministers and the attorney-general of the federation remain grossly underpaid compared to their workloads.
“You cannot pay a minister less than N1m per month since 2008 and expect him to put in his best without necessarily being involved in some other things,” he added.
Shehu stressed that the commission is constitutionally empowered to fix salaries only for political, judicial, and legislative office holders — not for ordinary workers. This comes at a time when labour unions are pressing for a living wage to cushion inflationary shocks.
Nigeria’s inflation rate fell to 21.88 per cent in July 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, but food inflation remains stubbornly high at 22.74 per cent, leaving millions unable to feed their families.
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Beyond salaries, the RMAFC chairman revealed that the commission has also begun reviewing Nigeria’s long-standing revenue-sharing formula, which was last adjusted in 1992 under military rule.
Currently, the federal government takes 52.68 per cent, states 26.72 per cent, and local governments 20.60 per cent. Previous attempts to revise this under ex-presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari failed, despite calls to reduce the federal government’s dominant share.
Shehu promised the new review would be “inclusive, data-driven, and transparent,” drawing input from governors, lawmakers, the judiciary, civil society, and development partners. He noted that with the passage of a new law in April, the RMAFC now enjoys financial autonomy, which could strengthen the process.
The push for higher pay for politicians, while ordinary Nigerians battle rising costs, underscores what many see as a widening disconnect between leaders and citizens. For millions struggling with wages eroded by inflation, the proposal risks deepening public frustration over governance priorities.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
