Nigerians have responded with fierce opposition to a proposed pay rise for President Tinubu, his vice and other political officeholders, decrying the plan amidst grinding inflation, widespread poverty, and stalled wage and welfare improvements.
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has proposed increasing salaries for political officeholders, citing outdated compensation levels. RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu revealed that President Bola Tinubu earns N1.5 million monthly and ministers earn less than N1 million, unchanged since 2008. “You are paying the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria N1.5 million a month, with a population of over 200 million people. Everybody believes that it is a joke,” Shehu said .
The suggestion sparked immediate backlash, as millions of Nigerians struggle with inflation, poverty, and inadequate wages. Observers note the move has revived debates over governance cost and public trust in Africa’s most populous nation .
Currently, Nigeria’s minimum wage stands at N70,000 per month, though many states have yet to implement it—particularly at the local government level and in primary schools .
Professor Chidiebere Nwachukwu of the University of Nigeria condemned the proposal, stating: “Nigeria exists to care for greedy politicians while the masses are being ignored… they are paid peanuts.” He warned that prioritising politicians over workers threatens social stability.