In a nation grappling with economic despair, hyperinflation, and a crippling debt burden, the recent proposal by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to increase the salaries of political office holders is not just a policy miscalculation—it is a profound moral betrayal. This audacious move lays bare a political class so disconnected from the realities of ordinary Nigerians that it risks plunging the country into deeper unrest. At a time when millions struggle to afford basic necessities, when public institutions crumble under the weight of neglect, and when the government pleads poverty to justify its failures, the suggestion of a pay rise for politicians is not only tone-deaf but dangerously provocative.
The Context of Nigeria’s Economic Crisis
Nigeria’s economy is in a precarious state. As of September 2025, the nation’s public debt has ballooned to over ₦121 trillion, a staggering figure that consumes a significant portion of national revenue through debt servicing. Inflation, which has hovered above 30% for much of the past two years, has eroded the purchasing power of the naira, rendering it nearly worthless for many households. The cost of living has skyrocketed, with prices of staple foods like rice, beans, and yam rising by over 100% in some regions. For the average Nigerian worker, the so-called new minimum wage of ₦70,000—when paid at all—is a cruel joke, barely sufficient to cover transportation costs, let alone rent, school fees, or healthcare.
The economic hardship is not abstract; it is visceral. Markets are filled with frustrated vendors who can no longer afford to stock their stalls. Parents are forced to choose between feeding their children and paying for their education. Hospitals, underfunded and understaffed, turn away patients who cannot afford basic medical care. Public universities, once a beacon of hope for upward mobility, are frequently shut down due to strikes by lecturers who have not been paid adequately or provided with the resources to teach effectively. Power outages, despite years of promised reforms, remain a daily reality, stifling businesses and compounding the misery of ordinary citizens.
In this environment of scarcity and suffering, the RMAFC’s proposal to increase the salaries of political office holders is not just ill-timed—it is an act of economic violence. It signals to Nigerians that their leaders are more concerned with personal enrichment than with addressing the nation’s existential challenges. The proposal is a stark reminder of the growing chasm between the ruling elite and the citizens they are meant to serve.
The Fallacy of Stagnant Salaries
The RMAFC’s primary justification for the proposed pay rise is that the salaries of political office holders have remained unchanged since 2008. On the surface, this argument may appear reasonable, as inflation has undeniably eroded the value of fixed incomes over time. However, this narrative is both hollow and deliberately misleading. It conveniently ignores the labyrinth of allowances, perks, and unaccountable funds that make Nigerian politics one of the most lucrative enterprises in the country.
Consider the financial realities of Nigeria’s political elite. Senators, for instance, reportedly take home as much as ₦21 million monthly when all allowances are factored in. These allowances cover everything from wardrobe stipends to constituency projects, many of which exist only on paper. Governors, meanwhile, control billions of naira in so-called security votes—opaque funds that are neither audited nor accounted for, effectively serving as personal slush funds. Ministers and other high-ranking officials enjoy state-funded luxuries, including sprawling official residences, fleets of vehicles, and fully paid international trips, all at the expense of taxpayers. Even local government chairmen, often overlooked in discussions of political excess, are known to divert public funds for personal gain, leaving their communities in disrepair.
To claim that Nigerian politicians are underpaid is to insult the intelligence of the citizenry. The official salaries of political office holders may appear modest on paper, but the true cost of maintaining Nigeria’s political class is astronomical. The federal government spends billions annually on presidential convoys, renovations of official residences, and lavish events that serve little public purpose. In 2023 alone, reports indicated that the National Assembly’s budget included hundreds of millions of naira for luxury vehicles and office upgrades, even as public schools lacked basic furniture and hospitals ran out of essential drugs.
This culture of extravagance is not new. Successive administrations have prioritized the comfort of the political elite over the welfare of the masses. The same government that claims it cannot afford to fund universities or pay striking workers finds endless resources to sustain a bloated bureaucracy and finance political patronage. The RMAFC’s proposal is not an attempt to address a genuine grievance; it is an effort to formalize and expand an already egregious system of self-enrichment.
A Betrayal of Public Trust
The proposal for a pay rise comes at a time when Nigerians are stretched to their breaking point. The removal of fuel subsidies in 2023, while touted as a necessary economic reform, has unleashed a cascade of hardships. Fuel prices have soared, driving up the cost of transportation, goods, and services. Small businesses, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, are collapsing under the weight of high operational costs. The naira’s value has plummeted on both official and parallel markets, making imported goods—on which Nigeria heavily relies—prohibitively expensive. For many families, skipping meals has become a survival strategy, not a choice.
Against this backdrop, the RMAFC’s proposal is nothing short of a slap in the face. It sends a clear message: while Nigerians tighten their belts, their leaders are loosening theirs. It is a betrayal of the social contract that binds citizens to their government. Public office, by its very nature, is meant to be a sacrifice—a commitment to serve the people, not to exploit them. Yet, Nigeria’s political class has turned public service into a synonym for self-service, plundering national resources with impunity.
The widespread condemnation of the proposal reflects the depth of public anger. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), which has long advocated for fair wages for workers, has rejected the plan outright, calling it “insensitive and provocative.” Opposition parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, have echoed this sentiment, accusing the government of prioritizing the elite over the masses. Civil society organizations, from student unions to human rights groups, have issued statements warning of the consequences of ignoring public discontent. This collective outcry is not merely a political maneuver; it is the voice of a nation pushed to its limits.
The Broken Promise of Governance Reform
When President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, he promised to reduce the cost of governance and restore public trust in leadership. He spoke of a leaner, more efficient government that would prioritize the needs of ordinary Nigerians. Yet, two years into his administration, the evidence suggests otherwise. The federal bureaucracy remains bloated, with overlapping ministries, agencies, and parastatals that drain public resources. Political appointments, often based on patronage rather than merit, have swelled the ranks of government, adding to the financial burden on taxpayers.
Approving the RMAFC’s pay rise proposal would be a direct contradiction of Tinubu’s pledge. It would confirm the suspicions of many Nigerians that the promise of reform was little more than political rhetoric. The administration’s actions are being closely watched, not just by citizens but by international partners and investors who view governance as a key indicator of Nigeria’s stability. A decision to prioritize politicians’ salaries over pressing national needs would further erode confidence in the government’s ability to lead effectively.
Moreover, the timing of the proposal could not be worse. Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder. The economic hardship has fueled widespread frustration, particularly among the youth, who make up a significant portion of the population. In 2020, the #EndSARS protests demonstrated the power of collective action and the potential for unrest when grievances are ignored. Recent hunger protests in cities like Lagos, Kano, and Abuja underscore the growing desperation of ordinary Nigerians. Approving a pay rise for politicians in this volatile climate could ignite fresh strikes, protests, and even violence, with consequences that could spiral out of control.
The Historical Precedent of Elite Excess
History offers sobering lessons about the dangers of elite excess in times of public suffering. Across the world, from the French Revolution to the Arab Spring, societies have erupted when leaders prioritized their own comfort over the welfare of their people. In Nigeria, the signs are already evident. The 1980s, when economic mismanagement and corruption fueled public discontent, led to a series of military coups. More recently, the 2012 fuel subsidy protests brought the country to a standstill, forcing the government to partially reverse its policies.
The current moment is no less precarious. Nigeria’s youth, increasingly educated and connected through social media, are no longer willing to accept the status quo. Platforms like X have amplified their voices, with hashtags like #NoPayRiseForPoliticians trending as citizens vent their frustration. The political class ignores this anger at its peril. A revolt, whether in the form of protests, strikes, or outright rebellion, is not a distant possibility—it is a looming reality.
A Call for True Leadership
If Nigeria’s leaders are serious about good governance, they must lead by example. Public service is not a pathway to wealth; it is a responsibility to serve. The first step toward restoring public trust is to halt the RMAFC’s pay rise proposal immediately. Beyond that, the government must take bold steps to address the systemic flaws in its compensation system.
Cut Political Salaries and Allowances: Rather than increasing their pay, political office holders should voluntarily reduce their salaries and allowances by at least 50%. This would demonstrate solidarity with the millions of Nigerians struggling to survive. It would also free up resources to fund critical sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Abolish Unaccountable Funds: The system of security votes, which allows governors and other officials to access billions of naira without oversight, must be scrapped. Every kobo of public money must be tracked and accounted for, with transparent reporting mechanisms accessible to citizens.
Prioritize Essential Workers: The government must redirect resources to improve the wages and working conditions of teachers, doctors, nurses, security personnel, and other essential workers. These are the people who keep the nation running, yet they are often paid poverty wages and forced to strike to demand their rights.
Overhaul Governance Costs: The bloated bureaucracy must be streamlined. Redundant agencies should be merged or eliminated, and political appointments should be based on merit rather than patronage. The savings from these reforms should be reinvested in social programs that directly benefit citizens.
Enforce Transparency and Accountability: The government must commit to full transparency in its financial dealings. Citizens have a right to know how their money is being spent. An independent audit of public spending, coupled with robust anti-corruption measures, would go a long way toward restoring trust.
The Moral Imperative
The fight against a pay rise for politicians is not just about economics—it is about morality. Nigeria’s leaders have a choice: they can continue to enrich themselves while the nation burns, or they can embrace the sacrifice that public service demands. The latter path is not easy, but it is the only one that offers hope for a stable and prosperous future.
The Nigerian people are watching. They are hungry, angry, and tired of being taken for granted. They are demanding a government that reflects their struggles, not one that exacerbates them. The RMAFC’s proposal must be rejected, not because it is unpopular, but because it is unjust. No pay rise for politicians should be considered until hunger is defeated, wages are fair, and governance is accountable.
To ignore this demand is to invite chaos. Nigeria cannot afford the consequences of a political class that declares war on its own people. The time for change is now—before the keg of gunpowder explodes.
