The Federal Government is considering an upward review of salaries for political office holders, sparking outrage among citizens who argue that the move is insensitive given the current economic realities.
Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mohammed Shehu, disclosed at a press briefing in Abuja that President Bola Tinubu presently earns N1.5 million monthly, while ministers take home less than N1 million — figures unchanged since 2008. He argued that such pay for the country’s top leaders was inadequate, noting that some federal agency heads earn nearly twenty times more than ministers.
But the proposal has been met with strong criticism from Nigerians who say the government is prioritising the welfare of politicians over ordinary citizens. Many point to the failure of several states to fully implement the N70,000 minimum wage and the fact that over 133 million Nigerians are living in poverty, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics in 2022.
Professor Chidiebere Nwachukwu of the University of Nigeria described the proposal as misplaced, saying Nigeria seems to exist “to care for greedy politicians while the masses are ignored.” He warned that continued neglect of workers could trigger mass unrest.
Economist Dr. Samson Simon also condemned the plan, stressing that lawmakers already earn excessively, with take-home pay in the region of N29–30 million monthly, far higher than in many advanced democracies. He argued that the focus should be on raising salaries for teachers, healthcare workers, and security personnel, not politicians.
Civil rights lawyer Olu Omotayo of CRRAN labelled the proposal a deception, pointing out that politicians already live on government expenses through allowances and perks. He argued that cutting excessive entitlements, rather than raising salaries, should be the government’s priority.
The debate has reignited concerns about governance, public trust, and the growing disconnect between Nigeria’s political class and its struggling citizens.
