FG Considers Salary Increase for Tinubu, Ministers as RMAFC Calls Current Pay “A Joke”
The Federal Government may soon increase the salaries of political office holders as the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) says the current pay is unrealistic and outdated.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu currently earns ₦1.5 million per month, while ministers take home less than ₦1 million monthly. According to him, these figures have not been reviewed since 2008, despite Nigeria’s rising economic challenges.
“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 that it is a joke,” Shehu said.
He further argued that paying a minister less than ₦1 million since 2008 makes it difficult to expect maximum performance. He added that top officials in agencies like the CBN or DGs of parastatals earn 10 to 20 times more than the President or the Attorney-General of the Federation, which he described as “absolutely not right.”
The RMAFC boss stressed that the commission is constitutionally mandated to review salaries for political office holders, including governors, senators, legislators, ministers, and directors-general.
“In line with this responsibility and in response to evolving socio-economic and fiscal realities, the Commission has resolved to initiate a review of the revenue allocation formula. This will ensure equity, sustainability, and encourage states to grow economically without overdependence on the Federal Government,” he explained.
The planned review is expected to spark national debate, especially at a time when ordinary Nigerians are grappling with inflation, rising fuel costs, and harsh economic realities.
