Majority of Nigerian public workers are struggling to survive on the newly approved ₦70,000 minimum wage, with many uncertain about their next meal. To consider a raise for political office holders at this time is incongruous and misplaced,”
— Prof. Hassan Saliu
- NPSA Labels RMAFC Proposal “Insensitive and Provocative”
A storm of criticism has greeted the recent proposition by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to increase the remuneration of political office holders in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), in a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, described the move as “insensitive and provocative,” warning that it would further strain an already fragile economy and deepen the gulf between leaders and citizens.
The Association, led by its President, Professor Hassan A. Saliu (fNPSA), argued that while inflationary pressures and the long interval since the last salary review in 2008 might ordinarily justify an adjustment, the current economic realities render such a proposal untenable.
Majority of Nigerian public workers are struggling to survive on the newly approved ₦70,000 minimum wage, with many uncertain about their next meal. To consider a raise for political office holders at this time is incongruous and misplaced,”
— Prof. Hassan Saliu
“Majority of Nigerian public workers are struggling to survive on the newly approved ₦70,000 minimum wage, with many uncertain about their next meal. To consider a raise for political office holders at this time is incongruous and misplaced,” the statement reads.
NPSA highlighted that professors in public universities — the intellectual backbone of the nation — earn less than ₦600,000 monthly after deductions, a figure it described as “paltry” given their pivotal role in education and nation-building. The Association urged the Federal Government to instead extend the incremental pay rise granted to judges to other critical professional groups such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Citing the nation’s 2024 budget figures, NPSA warned that a salary increase for political office holders would further balloon recurrent expenditure, shrink capital investment, and push debt servicing to unsustainable levels. Out of the ₦28.78 trillion budget, only 35% went to capital expenditure, while recurrent expenditure and debt servicing gulped 30% and 29% respectively.
This precarious situation would worsen if substantial salary increases, as proposed by RMAFC, are approved. Nigeria cannot afford to jeopardize its developmental aspirations for the comfort of a few,”
Professor Saliu cautioned.
“This precarious situation would worsen if substantial salary increases, as proposed by RMAFC, are approved. Nigeria cannot afford to jeopardize its developmental aspirations for the comfort of a few,” Professor Saliu cautioned.
The Association insists that democracy should prioritize the empowerment of the majority rather than catering to a privileged minority who already enjoy substantial perks beyond basic salaries.
With poverty, unemployment, and low productivity still bedeviling Africa’s largest economy, NPSA’s warning raises fresh questions about priorities in governance and the disconnect between Nigeria’s ruling elite and its citizens.
