FG to increase Tinubu, ministers salary

FG to increase Tinubu, ministers salary

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission has announced plans to increase the salaries of political office holders in Nigeria.

The commission said their current earnings are outdated and do not match present economic realities.

At a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu revealed that President Bola Tinubu currently receives about ₦1.5 million monthly while ministers earn less than ₦1 million.

He explained that these figures have remained unchanged since 2008, despite heavier workloads and inflation.

Shehu pointed out that the pay structure is unbalanced, saying that a Central Bank Governor or some Directors-General earn nearly ₦15 million monthly, which is about 10 times the President’s salary.

He added that certain heads of agencies take home around 20 times more than the Attorney-General of the Federation, whose pay is less than ₦1 million per month.

The commission explained that its constitutional duty covers political, judicial, and legislative office holders, and not civil servants or public sector workers.

Shehu stressed that the plan is to create fair and realistic salaries that reflect the responsibilities of public officials.

He confirmed that consultations are ongoing to push for living wages for ministers, directors-general, governors, and the President.

However, the Nigeria Labour Congress rejected the plan, arguing that it ignores the financial struggles of ordinary citizens and the hidden allowances enjoyed by politicians.

Labour leaders said that while the President’s official salary may appear modest, the full package, including medical, housing, travel, and security allowances, often pushes the actual cost to the public far higher.

The RMAFC also confirmed that it has begun a review of Nigeria’s revenue-sharing formula, which has been in place since 1992.

The current structure allocates 52.68 per cent to the Federal Government, 26.72 per cent to states, and 20.60 per cent to local governments, with a further 4.18 per cent going to special funds.

Shehu said the review would take into account constitutional amendments, growing responsibilities of states, and the need to strengthen fiscal federalism.

He assured that consultations would involve the Presidency, National Assembly, governors, the judiciary, civil society groups, and development partners to ensure an inclusive process.