JUMBO PAY: Fresh salary increase for Tinubu, Akpabio, others as FG plans review

The Federal Government is contemplating a salary increase for President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, senators, ministers, and other political office holders, in response to a proposal from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

At a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu outlined this initiative. He characterized the existing salary structure as outdated and unrealistic, emphasizing that it has remained consistent since 2008, despite escalating responsibilities and economic challenges.

Shehu disclosed that the President currently receives a monthly salary of N1.5 million, while ministers earn less than N1 million. He contended that these figures do not adequately reflect the stature of such high offices, particularly when contrasted with the significantly higher salaries received by some agency heads and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“It is untenable to compensate the President of Nigeria with N1.5 million per month while catering to a population exceeding 200 million,” he remarked. “It is inappropriate to pay the CBN Governor or the Director-General ten times more than the President. Additionally, providing salaries to heads of agencies that are twenty times higher than that of the Attorney-General of the Federation is equally unacceptable.”

This proposal, however, has encountered opposition from organized labor. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has cautioned that increasing salaries for politicians during a period when ordinary Nigerians are grappling with inflation and poverty would be inequitable.

A senior official from the NLC stated that the true financial burden stems from concealed allowances and benefits that significantly enhance the earnings of high-ranking officials. “While the President’s salary may be N1.5 million, accompanying allowances can elevate the total compensation package to exceed N100 million. If the government is prepared to publish salaries, it ought to also disclose allowances,” he asserted.

Labor representatives further criticized the substantial income disparity between politicians and average workers. It is believed that lawmakers can earn up to N30 million monthly, while the national minimum wage is set at N70,000, and university professors receive less than N400,000. The union argued that this widening inequality is undermining the middle class and exacerbating poverty.

“Effective leadership necessitates an awareness of the populace’s struggles. If politicians continue to prioritize their own interests over those of the nation, the country faces a risk of implosion. Should such an occurrence transpire, even the elite would find themselves without a nation to rely upon,” the source cautioned.

During the event, Shehu clarified that the commission does not have the authority to set the minimum wage for civil servants; rather, it is constitutionally tasked with determining the compensation for political, judicial, and legislative office holders. He maintained that a realistic remuneration framework is essential for ensuring accountability and mitigating corruption.

In addition to the proposed salary review, Shehu indicated that the RMAFC has initiated efforts to revise Nigeria’s revenue allocation formula, which has remained unchanged since 1992. The present distribution allocates 52.68 percent to the Federal Government, 26.72 percent to states, and 20.60 percent to local governments, with an additional 4.18 percent designated for special funds.

He elucidated that recent constitutional amendments have augmented the financial responsibilities of states, thus necessitating a review of the allocation formula to ensure equity and sustainability. Shehu noted that prior attempts under former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari were obstructed, but assured that the ongoing review would be inclusive, data-driven, and transparent.