The Federal Government’s plan to increase salaries of political office holders has sparked outrage across Nigeria, with citizens and experts describing it as insensitive at a time millions struggle under inflation and poverty.
Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) chairman, Mohammed Shehu, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu currently earns ₦1.5m monthly, while ministers take home less than ₦1m — salaries unchanged since 2008. He argued that some heads of federal agencies earn up to twenty times more than ministers.
But Nigerians, already burdened by rising costs and stagnant wages, view the proposal as misplaced. With the national minimum wage at ₦70,000 — and yet to be implemented by many states — critics say leaders should focus on workers, not politicians. Over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty, according to NBS data.
Professor Chidiebere Nwachukwu of UNN described the move as “greedy politics,” warning that neglecting workers could fuel revolt. He accused politicians of consuming a huge chunk of the national budget while civil servants are paid “peanuts.”
Economist Dr. Samson Simon said lawmakers already earn “far above global averages,” citing take-home packages of around ₦29m monthly. He stressed that teachers, nurses, and soldiers deserve pay adjustments, not politicians.
Civil rights lawyer Olu Omotayo called the review deceptive, insisting the real problem lies in bloated allowances and unchecked government spending, not official salaries.
Analysts say the controversy highlights misplaced priorities in governance and a widening trust deficit between Nigerians and their leaders, as citizens continue to demand accountability and a fairer system that reflects the country’s harsh economic realities.
