Lagos (24 August 2025) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has formally urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately direct the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to suspend an imminent salary increase for top political and public office holders in Nigeria—including the President, Vice President, governors, their deputies, and lawmakers—labeling it “patently unlawful and unconstitutional.”
In a letter dated 23 August 2025, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called on Tinubu to publicly reject the proposed pay rise and encourage other high-ranking officials to follow suit. SERAP further urged the President to instruct the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to enforce full compliance with a 2021 Federal High Court ruling by Justice Chuka Austine Obiozor. That judgment mandates that the RMAFC review downward the salaries and allowances of National Assembly members to align with Nigeria’s economic realities.
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SERAP’s Case: Why the Pay Rise is Ill-Advised
Mandate Overreach: SERAP insists that the RMAFC’s constitutional and statutory mandates do not grant it unrestrained powers to increase salaries for the nation’s top officeholders.
Public Interest vs. Privilege: The group argues that public interest must prevail, especially when exercise of government authority conflicts with the rights of vulnerable Nigerians. The planned pay increase—at a time when over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty and many state governments are failing to pay public servants and pensions—represents a grave misuse of RMAFC’s mandate.
Violation of Constitutional Principles: SERAP contends that the proposed increases violate Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution (Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles) and Chapter 4 (guarantees of equality and non-discrimination), in addition to Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
Government’s Pledge: The move contradicts President Tinubu’s inaugural commitment to uphold the constitution, the rule of law, and equitable governance—a contradiction SERAP says must be addressed.
Judicial Precedent: The 2021 Federal High Court judgment directed RMAFC to reduce—not raise—lawmakers’ remuneration. The order followed lawsuits by SERAP, BudgIT, Enough is Enough (EiE), and more than 1,500 concerned Nigerians.
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RMAFC’s Justification
On 18 August 2025, RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Bello defended the salary adjustment, stating that current remuneration for political officeholders was “paltry,” and that the proposed “review package” was “fair, realistic, and sustainable”, aligning with Nigeria’s socio-economic realities. Bello noted that while the allocation formula was last overhauled in 1992, there had been only executive adjustments since 2002.
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Implications and Next Steps
SERAP has given President Tinubu seven days from the date of the letter (23 August) to halt the pay rise, warning that failure to act will lead the organisation to pursue legal action to compel both the administration and RMAFC to comply with public-interest standards and court directives.
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Summary Table
Aspect Details
Issuer Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
Date of Letter 23 August 2025
Addressee President Bola Tinubu
Targeted Body Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC)
Demands Immediate suspension of proposed pay rise; enforce compliance with 2021 court ruling
Justifications by SERAP Overreach of power; public interest; poverty context; constitutional violation; judicial ruling
RMAFC’s Position Salaries are “paltry”; proposed review is fair and aligns with socio-economic realities
Deadline & Next Action 7-day window for compliance; potential legal challenge otherwise
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Editorial Note
As Nigeria grapples with soaring poverty levels, inadequate public services, and budgetary constraints, SERAP’s campaign underscores the growing tension between public welfare and political privileges. Should SERAP proceed with legal action, the resultant judicial scrutiny could challenge not only RMAFC’s proposed pay review but also reinforce Nigeria’s legal and ethical standards in governance.
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