The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) ignited a firestorm of controversy with its announcement of an impending upward review of remuneration packages for political and public office holders in Nigeria. The commission justified the proposed increase, citing the current pay structure, unchanged since 2008, as inadequate and failing to reflect the responsibilities of these high offices. RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Bello Shehu, highlighted the ostensibly low salaries of the president (N1.5 million monthly) and ministers (less than N1 million monthly), arguing that these figures were a “joke” given Nigeria’s size and population. He further pointed to the disparity between the earnings of political office holders and those of heads of agencies and the Central Bank governor, whose salaries are reportedly 10 to 20 times higher. Shehu urged public support for the commission’s effort to establish more “reasonable” salaries.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) vehemently opposed the proposed salary increase, labeling it insensitive, unjust, and provocative. The NLC, in a strongly worded statement, condemned the move as an attempt to turn public office into a haven for wealth accumulation rather than a platform for service and sacrifice. The union expressed concern that such a move would exacerbate poverty and inequality, widening the gap between the political elite and ordinary citizens. The NLC argued that Shehu’s justifications were “puerile” and failed to account for the substantial perks and allowances already enjoyed by political office holders. Furthermore, the NLC highlighted the stark contrast between the proposed salary increase and the prevailing situation for civil servants, who face salary freezes and struggles with the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage. The union recalled previous wage reviews, where civil servants received less than a 50% increase while political office holders enjoyed over 800%.
The NLC also criticized the disparity in pay structures, noting that political office holders across the country receive the same salaries regardless of the state’s resources, while civil servants’ pay varies from state to state. While acknowledging the principle of fair remuneration, the NLC insisted that any review should be equitable and across the board, not discriminatory. Drawing a parallel with apartheid, the union condemned the creation of a privileged class within the public service. To ensure transparency and accountability, the NLC demanded the public disclosure of current earnings of all political office holders, the benchmark for the proposed review, and a halt to the entire exercise.
SERAP echoed the NLC’s sentiments, urging President Bola Tinubu to immediately stop the proposed salary hike, deeming it unlawful and unconstitutional. In a letter to the president, SERAP called for the rejection of the proposal by the president, vice-president, governors, and lawmakers, emphasizing the impropriety of increasing politicians’ salaries amidst widespread poverty and economic hardship. The organization invoked a subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court, which directed RMAFC to reduce National Assembly members’ salaries to reflect current economic realities. SERAP accused RMAFC of consistently prioritizing the interests of politicians over the needs of the impoverished masses. The group further asserted that the proposed increase violates Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution on Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, as well as Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
SERAP highlighted the plight of over 133 million Nigerians living in poverty and the inability of many states to pay workers’ wages and pensions, arguing that suspending the salary review would serve the public interest. The organization threatened legal action if the Federal Government failed to halt the plan within seven days. However, in a notable departure from its opposition to the salary increase for political office holders, SERAP expressed support for an upward review of judges’ salaries. The organization stressed that improved pay for judicial officers is essential for upholding the independence of the judiciary and ensuring access to justice for victims of corruption and rights violations.
This brewing controversy underscores the inherent tensions between the demands of public service and the prevailing economic realities in Nigeria. The clashing perspectives of the RMAFC, emphasizing the need for competitive salaries to attract and retain competent individuals in public office, and the NLC and SERAP, highlighting the ethical and social implications of such a move in a country grappling with widespread poverty, present a complex dilemma for policymakers. The debate also raises fundamental questions about the allocation of public resources and the prioritization of competing needs in a developing nation. The outcome of this dispute will have far-reaching consequences for the relationship between the government and its citizens, and the overall trajectory of Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
