Growing Public Outrage Over Proposed Salary Hikes for Nigerian Political Leaders

LAGOS – Amidst escalating economic hardships, numerous stakeholders are urging the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to abandon its proposal to adjust the compensation of political office holders in Nigeria.

Mohammed Shehu, the Chairman of RMAFC, recently justified the plan, deeming the current monthly salaries of the President and other officials as insufficient and outdated, given the growing demands and economic strains. He noted that the President currently earns ₦1.5 million, while ministers receive less than ₦1 million—a rate that has remained static since 2008. Shehu argued that such figures pale when compared to the much higher pay received by central bank officials and agency heads.

The announcement ignited fierce criticism across the political and civil society spectrum. Groups including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), NACCIMA, APGA, ADC, NNPP, and CUPP all voiced strong objections.

ACF Reaction
ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Baba, described the proposal as disappointing, insensitive, and provocative—especially as 60% of Nigerians endure multi-dimensional poverty and over 75% live on incomes too low to sustain basic needs. He warned that enhancing politicians’ pay amid such conditions could spark unrest.

ADC Response
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) called the proposal a tone-deaf affront, highlighting the disconnect between political elites and ordinary citizens battling inflation, high fuel prices, and inadequate minimum wage. The ADC stressed that officials already benefit from generous perks, questioning why they need more while many Nigerians receive none of those benefits.

Northern CAN Position
Elder Sunday Oibe of Northern CAN condemned the proposal as cruel, selfish, and wicked, urging attention instead to unpaid pensions, low civil servants’ pay, and general hardship.

PDP’s Stand
The PDP labelled the plan as insensitive and unconscionable, pointing out that a ₦70,000 minimum wage cannot sustain a family—especially when staple food like rice has surged dramatically in price. They called for cost-cutting in governance, not pay hikes.

NNPP’s Position
Repeating the sentiment of other critics, NNPP leaders rejected the proposal as insensitive. They argued that during times of economic crisis, government officials should lead by example by reducing their own income. They cited international precedents—like pay cuts in New Zealand, Ireland, and Greece—as appropriate responses to fiscal distress.

Okorie’s Warning
Chief Chekwas Okorie of APGA cautioned that raising politicians’ pay could be interpreted as mockery toward citizens and even lead to unrest. “A hungry man is an angry man,” he warned.

CUPP’s Criticism
CUPP criticized RMAFC’s proposal as a serious misplacement of priorities. They described political roles as serving the nation—not avenues for personal wealth—and urged the commission to shift focus toward improving conditions for underpaid public workers like police officers.

Summary of the Debate

Stakeholder	Key Argument
RMAFC (Shehu)	Current salaries are outdated; need aligning with responsibilities.
Political & Civil Society Groups	The timing is profoundly insensitive; leaders should sacrifice, not enrich themselves.
Public Sentiment	Increasing wealth gap, potential for unrest, and moral dissonance dominate the discourse.