In a significant development, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governors, and other elected government officials are poised to receive a substantial salary raise of 114%, as announced by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
As the body responsible for determining the appropriate remuneration for political officeholders in Nigeria, including those mentioned in Sections 84 and 124 of the Constitution, the RMAFC has called on the 36 states’ Houses of Assembly to expedite the amendment of relevant laws to facilitate an upward review of remuneration packages for political, judicial, and public officers.
During a presentation of the reviewed remuneration package to Kebbi State governor, Dr Nasir Idris, RMAFC Chairman Muhammadu Shehu, represented by federal commissioner Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, emphasized that the implementation of the revised remuneration packages would be effective from January 1, 2023.
This move aligns with the provisions of paragraph 32(d) of part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Government.
Shehu highlighted that the last review of remuneration was conducted in 2007, leading to the enactment of the “certain political, public and judicial office holders (salaries and allowances, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2008.”
He stressed the necessity of reviewing the remuneration packages for political officeholders mentioned in relevant sections of the Constitution, considering that 16 years had passed since the previous review.
The Commission conducted a one-day zonal public hearing on the review of the remuneration package, seeking input from stakeholders across the country. Shehu noted that the reports presented by the commission adhered to the principles of equity, fairness, risk and responsibilities, national order of precedence, among others.
The subjective criteria were derived from stakeholders’ memoranda, opinions expressed during the zonal public hearings, and responses to questionnaires. Objective criteria were based on the analysis of macro-economic variables, particularly the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Shehu further stated that the Commission took into account the impact of the review on the economy and adjusted the remuneration of political, public, and judicial officeholders in the country by an upward increase of 114%.
In the case of judicial officeholders, the commission introduced three new allowances: Professional Development Assistant, Long Service Allowance, and Restricted or Forced Lifestyle, to address specific aspects of their roles and responsibilities.
This salary increase marks a significant development for government officials in Nigeria, aiming to ensure fair compensation and motivate those in public service.
