Outrage as NLC, Atiku’s Aide, Activists Reject Salary Increase for Tinubu, Governors, Ministers
There is growing unease across the country following revelations about a planned salary increase for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors, ministers, and other top public officials, PulseNets has learnt.
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) had, penultimate Monday, confirmed moves to adjust upward the remuneration of political office holders.
PulseNets reported that RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, speaking to journalists in Abuja, described the present pay structure for Nigerian leaders as “inadequate, outdated, and unrealistic.”
Shehu disclosed that President Tinubu currently earns ₦1.5 million monthly, while ministers pocket less than ₦1 million, amounts that have remained unchanged since 2008. According to him, “paying the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ₦1.5m a month, with a population of over 200 million people is a joke.”
While stressing that the commission does not determine the minimum wage for civil servants, Shehu maintained that the Constitution empowers RMAFC to fix salaries of political, judicial, and legislative office holders.
But the disclosure has triggered stiff resistance from Nigerians, with stakeholders warning that such a move is insensitive at a time of worsening poverty, inflation, and economic hardship caused by government reform policies.
NLC Warns: “Retreat Your Step Now”
Speaking to PulseNets, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) described the proposal as an “insensitive, unjust, inequitable” attempt to further widen inequality.
NLC spokesman, Benson Upah, told PulseNets that the decision outraged the union, stressing that the review would deepen poverty.
“It will equally deepen poverty among the generality of Nigerians, the majority of whom have not only been adjudged to be multi-dimensionally poor, live miserably poor. While we recognise the need for good remuneration packages, they should be across board and equitable and not done on the basis of discrimination as that runs contrary to the letter and spirit of our constitution.”
The labour body demanded that the current earnings of political office holders be made public, while urging RMAFC to suspend the review to avoid “triggering a tsunami.”
Atiku Slams Proposal: “This Doesn’t Mean Well for Tinubu’s Govt”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also kicked against the move, insisting that whoever conceived the idea of a salary increase for top officials does not mean well for President Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking to PulseNets through his spokesman Paul Ibe, Atiku warned that Tinubu’s policies were designed only to benefit a select few.
“Policies of Tinubu’s administration is to benefit them only. It is all to serve their interests. We saw how much that was wasted on the vice president’s residence.”
He added:
“Government is all about wastage. The saddest part of it is that these monies are all borrowed. Borrowed is supposed to be put into productive use. Our children are going to pay back those loans, they are not free. So it is very insensitive of the government to be talking about increasing the salaries of public officials.”
Atiku lamented the plight of Nigerian workers, noting that the minimum wage cannot even buy a bag of rice today.
“Whoever came up with the idea of salary increase for government officials doesn’t even mean well for the administration. It is a no. This is not a government of yourself, by your family and for your friends.”
Activist Lawyer Blasts “Humongous Allowances”
Constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate Chief Nkereuwem Udofia Akpan told PulseNets that rather than increase salaries, the allowances of lawmakers should be slashed drastically.
He stressed that the National Assembly constitutes a major drain on Nigeria’s economy.
“If you consider the humongous and mind-boggling allowances each of the 109 Senators and 460 Representatives take home in a month, vehicle allowances, accommodation, entertainment, car maintenance, furniture then the almighty politics behind those constituency projects…”
Akpan also questioned why Tinubu, who has been a Senator, two-term Lagos Governor, and a political heavyweight for decades, would still be seeking a pay raise.
He reminded Nigerians of the First Lady’s statement that they were already wealthy before entering Aso Rock, suggesting the demand for higher salaries was unnecessary.
“Let’s be honest about these things for once. These sort of stories are somehow diversionary, misleading and truly unnecessary. The real problem is not the salaries but the jumbo packages, brazen corruption, contract racketeering, and outright looting of public funds.”
The activist concluded that it would be more honourable for the President to earn a decent official salary than be linked to oil deals and contract kickbacks, adding:
“If you consider the stupendous wealth of our public servants, especially those who have served as two-term governors and the fact that they are still accumulating wealth, you will be forgiven to think that these people don’t believe that death is around the corner.”
Also Read: RMAFC Hints at Salary Increase for Tinubu, Shettima, Senators, and Ministers Amidst NLC
The proposal to raise salaries for Nigeria’s top political leaders has sparked outrage across board — from labour unions and opposition figures to civil society. At a time when millions of citizens can barely feed, the plan is seen as not only tone-deaf and provocative but also a direct contradiction of the sacrifices demanded from ordinary Nigerians.
Whether the Tinubu administration heeds the warnings of the NLC, Atiku, and rights activists remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the debate has reignited calls for equitable governance, accountability, and fairness in Nigeria’s political economy.
