SERAP Calls on President Tinubu to Halt Unlawful Salary Increases for Nigerian Politicians
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has formally appealed to President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to immediately suspend the proposed salary increments for Nigeria’s top political office holders. This includes the president, vice-president, governors, their deputies, and members of the National Assembly.
Rejecting the Proposed Pay Hike Amid Economic Hardship
SERAP emphasized the need for President Tinubu to not only reject the impending pay rise but also to encourage other political leaders-such as the vice-president, governors, their deputies, and lawmakers-to follow suit. The organization highlighted that the RMAFC’s constitutional and statutory powers do not grant it unrestricted authority to increase the remuneration of these officials.
Legal Compliance and Economic Realities
In a letter dated August 23, 2025, signed by SERAP’s deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the group urged the president to direct the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to enforce the Federal High Court ruling by Justice Chuka Austine Obiozor. The judgment mandates the RMAFC to reduce the salaries and allowances of National Assembly members to align with Nigeria’s current economic conditions.
Public Interest and Constitutional Obligations
SERAP argued that suspending the pay increase aligns with the public interest, especially when the exercise of RMAFC’s powers conflicts with the fundamental rights of Nigerians. The organization pointed out that instead of adjusting salaries downward to reflect the country’s economic challenges, the commission is unjustifiably raising the pay of political office holders.
Misuse of Mandate Amid Widespread Poverty
The letter further criticized the RMAFC’s decision as a misuse of its constitutional mandate, noting that over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty, and many state governments struggle to pay workers’ salaries and pensions. SERAP stressed that the commission lacks the legal authority to increase salaries under such dire economic circumstances.
Balancing Interests: Political Office Holders vs. Vulnerable Citizens
SERAP called on the RMAFC to prioritize the welfare of marginalized and vulnerable populations over the interests of political elites. The organization recommended cutting excessive allowances and life pensions allocated to former and current political office holders as a step toward fiscal responsibility and social equity.
Impact on Public Services and Living Standards
The advocacy group highlighted the deteriorating state of essential public services in Nigeria, such as unreliable electricity, limited access to clean water, and inadequate healthcare-services that are widely accessible and affordable in many parts of the world today. They argued that increasing politicians’ salaries under these conditions undermines the principles of fairness, equality, and representative democracy.
Constitutional and Human Rights Violations
SERAP stated that the proposed pay rise contravenes Chapter 2 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), which outlines the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, as well as Nigeria’s international human rights commitments. The organization urged President Tinubu to act in accordance with his constitutional oath and his stated dedication to building a better society through collective sacrifice and adherence to the rule of law.
Support for Judicial Salary Reforms
While opposing the pay hike for politicians, SERAP expressed support for increasing the remuneration and improving the working conditions of Nigerian judges. This, they noted, is essential to addressing the persistent challenges within the judiciary and enhancing access to justice for victims of corruption and human rights abuses.
RMAFC’s Justification and Court Rulings
On August 18, 2025, RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Bello defended the proposed salary adjustments, describing current pay as “paltry” and asserting that the review package is “fair, realistic, and sustainable,” reflecting Nigeria’s socio-economic realities. He also mentioned that the allocation formula had not undergone a comprehensive overhaul since 1992, despite some executive adjustments since 2002.
However, SERAP reminded that the Federal High Court in Lagos, through Justice Chuka Austine Obiozor’s ruling on June 4, 2021, ordered the RMAFC to reduce the salaries of National Assembly members to better mirror the country’s economic situation. This judgment was the result of consolidated lawsuits filed by concerned citizens and civil society organizations including SERAP, BudgIT, and Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE).
Next Steps and Legal Actions
SERAP has requested that the president take the recommended actions within seven days of receiving or publishing their letter. Failure to respond will prompt the organization to pursue all necessary legal avenues to ensure compliance in the public interest.
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