The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately direct the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to suspend what it described as the “patently unlawful and unconstitutional” proposed pay rise for political and public office holders in Nigeria.
The proposed increment, according to SERAP, covers the President, Vice-President, state governors and their deputies, as well as members of the National Assembly.
In a letter dated 23 August 2025 and signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged President Tinubu to reject the proposed pay rise and encourage other political leaders to do the same. The organisation also asked him to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to ensure compliance with the judgment of Justice Chuka Austine Obiozor, which ordered the downward review of lawmakers’ salaries and allowances to reflect the country’s economic realities.
“The RMAFC’s constitutional and statutory mandates do not confer unlimited powers to increase the salaries of political office holders,” SERAP stated. “Suspending the imminent pay rise would serve legitimate public interests. Where the exercise of RMAFC’s mandates clashes with the fundamental rights of Nigerians, public interest in upholding these rights must prevail.”
SERAP accused the commission of acting contrary to its legal obligations, noting that instead of reducing the salaries and allowances of political leaders in line with prevailing economic challenges, it is proposing arbitrary increases.
According to the organisation, the pay rise amounts to a gross misuse of RMAFC’s constitutional and statutory responsibilities. It stressed that the move is unjustifiable at a time when over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty, and several state governments struggle to pay workers’ salaries and pensions.
SERAP warned that if the government fails to act within seven days of receiving or publishing the letter, it would take legal steps to compel compliance in the public interest.
“The RMAFC appears to consistently prioritise the interests of political office holders over those of poor and vulnerable Nigerians,” the group said, urging the commission to instead cut excessive allowances and life pensions for past and current leaders.
The organisation further argued that the proposed pay rise violates provisions of Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, as well as Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
SERAP reminded President Tinubu of his inauguration pledge to govern impartially, uphold the Constitution, and ensure shared sacrifice towards building a better society.
While opposing the proposed increase for political leaders, SERAP expressed support for upward review of the salaries and conditions of service for judges in Nigeria, citing the need to improve judicial independence, strengthen the rule of law, and enhance access to justice.
RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Bello had on 18 August 2025 defended the proposal, describing the current salaries of political leaders as “paltry” and claiming that the new package was “fair, realistic, and sustainable.” He argued that the last comprehensive overhaul of the allocation formula was in 1992, with only executive adjustments made since 2002.
SERAP, however, pointed out that the Federal High Court in Lagos had in June 2021 ordered RMAFC to review downward the remuneration of National Assembly members. The suit was filed by SERAP, BudgIT, Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), and other concerned Nigerians.
