RMAFC Proposes Salary Review for Political Leaders, Faces NLC Backlash Amid Revenue Formula Reassessment

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) is considering an upward review of the salaries of Nigeria’s political office holders. This was revealed during a press conference in Abuja on Monday, August 18, by RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu.

Shehu stated that President Bola Tinubu currently earns ₦1.5 million monthly, while ministers earn less than ₦1 million — figures that have remained stagnant since 2008. “Paying the President of over 200 million Nigerians just ₦1.5 million a month is almost a joke,” Shehu said. He also criticized the salary gap between political office holders and heads of agencies, noting that some agency heads earn up to twenty times more than ministers and even the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Despite Shehu’s justification, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) strongly opposed the proposal. The NLC argued that the move ignores the country’s growing economic disparity and the hidden benefits already enjoyed by politicians. Shehu, however, clarified that RMAFC’s mandate does not extend to fixing the minimum wage for civil servants, but rather to determining the pay for political, judicial, and legislative officers, including governors, senators, ministers, and director-generals.

In addition, Shehu announced that RMAFC has initiated a long-overdue review of Nigeria’s vertical revenue-sharing formula, which has remained unchanged since 1992. Currently, the Federal Government receives 52.68%, states 26.72%, and local governments 20.60%, with an additional 4.18% allocated to special funds. The chairman said recent constitutional amendments had increased the fiscal responsibilities of states, making it crucial to reassess the allocation structure to support state-level growth and fiscal independence.

Previous attempts to revise the formula — including a 2022 recommendation under former Chairman Elias Mbam — proposed a reduced share for the federal government and increased allocation for states and local governments. However, that proposal was never implemented by the Buhari administration. Shehu emphasized that a new, balanced revenue formula is essential for equitable distribution and national development.