Organizations like the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights (SNWR) have strongly condemned the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s (RMAFC) proposed pay rise for political and public office holders in Nigeria. Both groups urged President Bola Tinubu to halt what they describe as an “unlawful” and “unconstitutional” increase, citing the dire economic realities faced by millions of Nigerians.

In a letter dated August 23, 2025, signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP specifically called on President Tinubu to reject the imminent pay rise for himself, the vice-president, governors, their deputies, and lawmakers. The organization further urged the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to ensure full compliance with a judgment by Justice Chuka Austine Obiozor. This judgment, dated June 4, 2021, had previously directed the RMAFC to review downward the salaries and allowances of National Assembly members to align with the country’s economic realities. SERAP emphasized that the RMAFC's constitutional and statutory mandates do not imply unrestrained powers to arbitrarily increase salaries, especially when such actions conflict with the fundamental rights and public interests of Nigerians.

SERAP lamented that instead of reviewing salaries downward to reflect current economic challenges, the RMAFC was arbitrarily increasing them. The group firmly stated that the commission cannot legitimately or justifiably increase salaries for top political office holders at a time when over 133 million Nigerians are impoverished and several state governments struggle to pay workers' salaries and pensions. The organization also highlighted that RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Bello, had reportedly stated on August 18, 2025, that the commission’s decision to propose a pay rise was based on the “seriously flawed ground” that the current salaries were “paltry.” SERAP gave a 7-day ultimatum for the recommended measures to be taken, threatening legal action if their request was not met.

Echoing these sentiments, the Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights (SNWR), in a statement signed by Lateef Adams, described the RMAFC’s plan as a “callous insult” and a “slap in the face” to Nigeria’s working-class citizens. SNWR criticized the proposed hike for the President, governors, legislators, and other political officials, noting it comes at a time when millions cannot afford basic necessities like food, transport, healthcare, and housing amidst rising inflation and economic hardship. The network recalled that President Bola Tinubu himself, shortly after assuming office in 2023, had approved a 114% wage increase for political office holders, a move SNWR views as demonstrating the government’s misplaced priorities.

SNWR pointed out the hypocrisy of a government claiming “not enough resources” for a new minimum wage for workers while being “shamelessly quick to reward itself and its cronies with salary hikes.” The group cited ongoing labour unrest as compelling evidence of the government’s neglect of workers. Examples include strikes and protests by Lagos State University staff over neglected agreements and new salary structures, nurses nationwide suspending strike actions after weeks of agitation for fair pay, and Academic Staff Unions issuing ultimatums over wage and funding issues. SNWR also underscored the broader economic pressures on Nigerians, including soaring inflation, a weakening naira, and escalating costs of food, transport, rent, and electricity, all of which have severely eroded workers' earnings. Consequently, SNWR urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), students’ bodies, and other organizations to mobilize protests and strikes to resist the salary increase, warning that such government actions deepen the exploitation of ordinary Nigerians.