The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to immediately suspend a proposed salary increase for political office holders, including the president, vice-president, governors, deputies, and lawmakers. The organisation labelled the proposal as “patently unlawful and unconstitutional.”
In a letter dated August 23, 2025, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called on Tinubu to direct the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to halt the proposed salary hike. SERAP argued that the move violates Nigeria’s Constitution and international human rights obligations.
The letter stated, “The imminent pay rise for political and public office holders in Nigeria particularly the president, vice-president, governors and their deputies, and lawmakers is a gross misuse of the RMAFC’s constitutional and statutory mandates. The RMFAC has neither unrestrained constitutional and statutory mandates nor unbridled discretion to increase the salaries of the president, vice-president, governors and their deputies, and lawmakers.”
SERAP further criticised the commission, asserting that, “On the basis of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the country’s international human rights obligations and the legal doctrine of reasonableness, the RMAFC has improperly and incorrectly exercised its constitutional and statutory mandates by increasing the salaries of political office holders.”
The organisation expressed concern over the prioritisation of salary increases for politicians at a time when over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty, and many states struggle to meet obligations such as workers’ salaries and pensions. It described the move as a “gross misuse” of the RMAFC’s mandate, emphasising that the commission lacks the authority to arbitrarily raise salaries without taking into account public interest and the country’s economic challenges.
SERAP urged Tinubu to reject the proposed pay rise and encourage other political leaders to follow suit. It warned that failure to take action within seven days could lead to legal action. “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government and RMFAC to comply with our request in the public interest.”
SERAP Slams RMAFC Over Pay Rise, Cites Inequality, Poor Public Services, and Constitutional Violations
The group accused RMAFC of consistently favouring the interests of political office holders over those of poor Nigerians. “The RMFAC, in the exercise of its constitutional and statutory mandates ought to balance the interests of the marginalised and vulnerable sectors of the population against the ‘interests’ of political office holders.”
It also called for an end to excessive budget allocations for allowances and life pensions of politicians, stating that the commission should prioritise “cutting the excessive amounts yearly budgeted as allowances for political office holders and life pensions for former presidents, vice-presidents, governors and their deputies, and lawmakers.”
SERAP stressed that representative democracy, fairness, equality, and non-discrimination would be meaningless if public officials’ salaries are increased while the majority of citizens face economic hardship. “The idea of representative democracy, fairness and equality and non-discrimination would mean little if the salaries of political office holders are arbitrarily increased while millions of poor Nigerians continue to pass through harrowing times and watch their standards of living plummet.”
The organisation lamented the deteriorating state of public services in the country, including access to clean water, affordable healthcare, and electricity. “The grim condition of many Nigerians is worsened by the deterioration of public services where access to pipe-borne water and affordable health-care remains a dream and the supply of electricity is epileptic and unreliable in an era in which globalisation has made such services ubiquitous and cheap.”
SERAP described the proposed pay rise as a violation of Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, as well as the country’s international human rights commitments. “The imminent pay rise for political office holders is a gross violation of the provisions of chapter 2 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] relating to Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, and the country’s international human rights obligations.”
The organisation also highlighted the relevance of Chapter 4 of the Constitution, particularly Section 42, which guarantees fundamental rights and underscores the socio-economic rights of citizens and the principle of non-discrimination. “The combined provisions of chapter 2, and chapter 4 on fundamental rights particularly section 42 give meaning and substance to the socio-economic rights of Nigerians and their right to equality and non-discrimination.”
SERAP urged President Tinubu to act in line with his oath of office and his commitments stated in his inauguration speech. “Directing the RMFAC to suspend the imminent pay rise for political office holders will be entirely consistent with your constitutional oath of office and your oft-expressed commitment including to work to ensure ‘a better society’ and ‘the collective sacrifices of us all’, as stated in your inauguration speech.”
“SERAP also notes your commitment in your inauguration speech to ensure that, ‘Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the constitution and the rule of law.’”
SERAP Urges RMAFC to Refocus Mandate, Supports Judicial Pay Review Amid Salary Controversy
Despite opposing the proposed pay rise for politicians, SERAP expressed support for salary reviews for Nigerian judges. It stated that this is necessary to address their poor treatment and improve access to justice. “However, SERAP said it supports the upward review of the remuneration, salaries and allowances and conditions of service for Nigerian judges to address the persistent poor treatment of judges, and to improve access of victims of corruption and human rights violations to justice and effective remedies.”
The controversy stems from comments made by RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Bello, on August 18, 2025. He reportedly defended the proposed salary increase for top political office holders, describing their current remuneration as “paltry.” According to him, the review is “fair, realistic, and sustainable,” and aligns with Nigeria’s socio-economic realities. He noted that while there have been executive adjustments since 2002, the allocation formula was last overhauled in 1992 and had not undergone a full-scale review until now.
SERAP cited a Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Chuka Austine Obiozor on June 4, 2021, which directed RMAFC to reduce lawmakers’ salaries to reflect the nation’s economic condition. The ruling followed consolidated suits brought by individuals and organisations including Mr Monday Ubani, Mr John Nwokwu, over 1,500 concerned Nigerians, SERAP, BudgIT, and Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE).
Finally, the organisation pointed out that under Sections 154(1), 156(3), and Paragraph 31, Part I of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution, members of the RMAFC are appointed by the President subject to Senate confirmation.
