As the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has announced plans to review and potentially raise the salaries of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Bola Tinubu, ministers, and other important public officials, Nigerians may soon witness a new debate over the compensation of their top leaders.
Mohammed Shehu, the chairman of the commission, revealed this at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, emphasizing that the pay scale that has been in place since 2008 is no longer feasible.
According to him, the President of Africa’s largest democracy earns just ₦1.5 million monthly, a figure he described as “untenable and unrealistic” given Nigeria’s population of over 200 million people and the enormous responsibilities that come with the office.
Shehu stated that the proposed change would impact those holding judicial, legislative, and political offices. “You cannot pay the President of Nigeria ₦1.5 million per month and expect it to be taken seriously,” she said.
The move has already stirred mixed reactions. While some argue that an upward review is necessary to reflect economic realities, critics point to the huge allowances and perks politicians already enjoy, warning that any pay increase could worsen the inequality gap in a country battling inflation, unemployment, and poverty.
Shehu further clarified that RMAFC’s mandate does not cover the minimum wage of civil servants but is strictly limited to political and judicial salaries. He also revealed that the commission has begun reviewing the nation’s revenue-sharing formula, which has not been updated since 1992.
If approved, the review could mean bigger paychecks for Nigeria’s top office holders, but whether ordinary citizens will see any benefit remains the big question.
