The Federal Government of Nigeria is once again facing public outrage following a proposal to review the salaries of political office holders upward. The suggestion, which came from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has sparked nationwide debates about fairness, governance, and misplaced priorities in a country where millions still live below the poverty line.
According to Shehu, President Tinubu currently earns ₦1.5 million per month, while federal ministers receive less than ₦1 million monthly, a figure he described as “a joke” compared to the size and responsibilities of governing over 200 million Nigerians.
“You are paying the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ₦1.5 million a month, with a population of over 200 million people. Everybody believes it is a joke,” Shehu stated.
He further highlighted the huge disparity between political office holders and heads of federal agencies, noting that some agency chiefs earn up to twenty times more than ministers or even the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Public outrage over timing and priorities
Analysts argue that this development has once again re-opened discussions on the true cost of governance, leadership accountability, and eroding public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
While the minimum wage in Nigeria is currently pegged at ₦70,000 per month, implementation has been inconsistent across states. Many local government workers, teachers, and healthcare staff have yet to see the benefit of the wage increase.
Recall that in 2022, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that over 133 million Nigerians—63% of the population—live in multidimensional poverty. The report showed that deprivation is severe in critical areas such as food security, housing, sanitation, and healthcare, with rural poverty standing at 72% compared to 42% in urban areas.
During the same year, academic and non-academic staff unions went on an eight-month strike, demanding better welfare and increased funding for universities. Yet, investigations reveal that little has changed in education financing or the conditions of lecturers and staff since then.
Experts React: “Nigeria Exists to Care for Politicians, Not the People”
Professor Chidiebere Nwachukwu, a senior lecturer at the University of Nigeria, criticized the proposal, describing it as misplaced and insensitive.
“It’s like Nigeria exists to care for greedy politicians while the masses are ignored. Those who do the bulk of the work are paid peanuts,” he said.
Nwachukwu argued that while civil servants, teachers, and lecturers are underpaid, politicians continue to enjoy excessive allowances in addition to their salaries.
He cautioned that neglecting the needs of workers while prioritizing politicians could spark civil unrest, warning that “the revenge of the masses” may not be far off.
Nwachukwu further lamented the decline of public trust, stating that Nigerians no longer believe government promises:
“For over a decade, no government has kept its word. Citizens are tired of being asked to wait while politicians enrich themselves.”
Economists: “Lawmakers Already Among the World’s Highest Paid”
Dr. Samson Simon, an economist with ARKK Economics and Data Limited, also dismissed the proposal, stressing that political office holders are already among the best-paid in the country.
He pointed out that lawmakers earn well above global averages:
“A federal senator earns about ₦29 million monthly. Converted, that’s roughly $20,000 per month or $240,000 annually. Few lawmakers in even the richest nations earn that much,” Simon explained.
He added that Nigeria’s misplaced priorities attract people into politics primarily for wealth rather than genuine service.
According to Simon, professions such as teaching, nursing, policing, and the military should receive priority salary adjustments since they are underpaid yet vital to national development and security.
Legal Experts: “It’s Pure Deception”
The President of the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), Olu Omotayo, described the salary review plan as “a deception.”
Omotayo noted that political leaders already live entirely on government expense, with allowances covering everything from travel to accommodation.
“The real issue is not their salaries but the huge allowances and expenditures. Until government plugs these loopholes, salary increments are just another deception,” Omotayo said.
Conclusion
The debate over the proposed pay rise has become a litmus test of public trust in governance. While politicians argue their earnings are outdated, citizens insist the focus should be on improving workers’ welfare and cutting government waste. With inflation biting harder daily, Nigerians remain skeptical of any government decision that prioritizes politicians’ comfort over the suffering majority.
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