By Muhammad Mamman
The Nigerian government is poised to overhaul the salaries of political office holders, with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) announcing plans to review outdated pay structures. The move aims to address the growing gap between current earnings and the mounting responsibilities faced by officials amidst Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu revealed that President Bola Tinubu earns a modest N1.5 million monthly, while ministers take home less than N1 million—figures unchanged since 2008. Shehu described the situation as unsustainable, arguing that such low salaries fail to reflect the demands of governing a nation of over 200 million people.
“It’s absurd to pay the President N1.5 million a month and expect optimal performance,” Shehu stated. “Ministers earn less than N1 million, while some agency heads are paid up to twenty times more than the Attorney-General. This imbalance is simply untenable.”
The RMAFC’s review will focus on political office holders, including governors, senators, legislators, ministers, and directors-general. Shehu urged public support for the initiative, emphasising the need for “reasonable living salaries” to ensure effective governance.
Beyond salaries, the Commission is also set to revisit Nigeria’s revenue allocation formula to reflect current socio-economic realities. The proposed reforms aim to foster economic growth, promote state-level independence, and ensure a fairer, more sustainable fiscal framework.
