The Chairman, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Muhammed Shehu has dismissed claims of “jumbo pay” to political officeholders.
Shehu emphasised that political officeholders in Nigeria do not earn exorbitant salaries, contrary to popular belief, and noted that there has been no salary increment for these positions since 2007.
According to him, the President of Nigeria earns an annual salary of ₦14,058,820, translating to a monthly income of ₦1,171,568, while state governors receive ₦7,782,968 annually, or ₦648,581 monthly, according to data available on RMAFC, a government agency. …CONTINUE READING
Shehu clarified that some civil servants, including employees of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), earn more than ministers and legislators.
“The monthly salary of the President is less than ₦1.5 million; that of a minister is not even up to ₦1 million,” he stated, adding that the remuneration of political officeholders is often misunderstood.
Despite these revelations, controversies surrounding the cost of governance persist, with many Nigerians advocating for reductions in government spending.
Budget allocations and salary review proposals
In the 2023 fiscal budget, ₦2.9 trillion was allocated for salaries and wages, marking the second-highest expenditure.
This figure represents an increase from ₦2.51 trillion in the 2022 budget, which had the highest allocation. Calls for salary reviews have been met with resistance, as a proposed 114% increase for the President’s salary in June 2023 was not approved.
Reports by The ICIR highlighted how salaries of ministers, senators, and special advisers could be reinvested to address critical national needs.
Additionally, the appointment of 46 ministers by President Bola Tinubu has raised concerns over the financial implications, with their basic salaries costing ₦29.91 million monthly, according to ICIR.
As of 2025, the minimum wage in Nigeria stands at ₦70,000 per month, following a revision implemented under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
This wage applies to both public and private sector workers across the country. Discussions surrounding an increase in the minimum wage continue as many workers advocate for adjustments to match the rising cost of living and inflation.
Read reactions below:
@Chimezie Neo Caprimandy: So with all this salaries they are able to build mansions buying cars ? Finished country with very useless politicians and judiciary…, I don’t blame them but we the youth but one day MONKEY WILL GO TO MARKET AND WILL NOT RETURN.
@Ovwighoghere Perfect: The unemployed Nigeria also needs stipend salary for up keep too far survival Mr. President federal Republic of Nigeria.
@Ayinde Catherine Abisola: They’re not living on salary, they are living on fraud
Looted funds
@Adeka Timothy: They are living by looting public funds not by salary.Stop deceiving people.
@Abdulmalik Salihu: Who cares
@Prince Descent: Shareholders group of country Nigeria
@Godwin Jackson: Na una know oh.. We nor need to know how much they are paying
@Empires Mufasa: Tinubu is a theif, watch how is yoruba dogs attack me
@Aliyu Ghali: Wetin concerned us about president salary
@Uorson Kuranen Joel: Do they really need their salaries?
@Nnamdi Romanus: What’s the president doing with salary?
See, nobody begged these office holders to vie or be appointed as ministers. At least the side attractions with this humongous pays are high enough to impact on Nigeria spending. Let them also earn minimum wage, and forgo all attachments to these positions so that they can see the reality of hardship Nigerians who for no faults of theirs are facing!
The Salary is mere token compared to the amount gotten all in the name of ‘Allowance.
If you know the Salary they receive on a yearly basis, can you please be kind enough to share with Nigerians the amount they get paid via ‘Allowance’