The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) over its proposal to increase salaries for top political and public office holders, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors, and lawmakers.
The move comes after RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, described the current salaries of political leaders as “paltry” and long overdue for review.
He revealed that Tinubu earns ₦1.5 million monthly, a figure unchanged since 2008, and argued that it was too low for the leader of a nation of over 200 million people.
But SERAP rejected the proposal and took the matter to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1834/2025, filed last week, the group asked the court to declare the salary hike unlawful, unconstitutional, and inconsistent with Nigeria’s economic realities.
SERAP’s Demands
In a statement on Sunday, SERAP’s Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare confirmed that the commission had been dragged to court, though a hearing date is yet to be fixed.
SERAP is seeking:
An order stopping RMAFC from reviewing upward the salaries of Tinubu, Shettima, governors, deputies, and lawmakers.
A declaration that such increases breach the 1999 Constitution and the RMAFC Act.
A directive for RMAFC to instead review salaries and allowances downward to reflect Nigeria’s harsh economic situation.
Oluwadare argued that reducing political salaries would align with constitutional principles, Nigeria’s international human rights obligations, and public interest.
Public Interest vs. Political Privilege
The group stressed that arbitrary salary increases for politicians would undermine accountability and deepen inequality in a country where millions face poverty, unemployment, and high living costs.
“Reviewing downward the salaries of the president, vice-president, governors, their deputies, and lawmakers would be consistent with the Nigerian Constitution and current realities,” SERAP stated.
The case has sparked intense debate, with many Nigerians questioning why leaders are seeking pay rises while citizens grapple with inflation and widespread economic hardship.
The Federal High Court will now decide whether RMAFC can legally pursue the proposal. If SERAP’s arguments succeed, political leaders may face pay cuts instead of increases.
This lawsuit adds to SERAP’s long record of challenging government policies that it considers wasteful, unconstitutional, or against public interest.
For now, all eyes remain on the court as Nigerians wait to see whether political leaders will take home more money or less in the coming months.