RMAFC APPROVES 114% SALARY INCREASE

The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has announced the approval of a 114 percent increase in the salaries of President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors, lawmakers, as well as judicial and public office holders. This decision was made after a thorough review of the Nigerian economy by the commission.

In justifying its directive, the RMAFC stated that the upward adjustment in remuneration was carefully considered, taking into account its impact on the economy. The commission is responsible for determining appropriate remuneration for political officeholders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators, and other relevant office holders as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution.

The RMAFC has urged the Houses of Assembly in the 36 states to expedite efforts in amending relevant laws to allow for the upward review of remuneration packages for political, judicial, and public officers. The Chairman of the RMAFC, Muhammadu Shehu, represented by Federal Commissioner Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, made this call during the presentation of the reviewed remuneration package reports to Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, in Birnin Kebbi.

Shehu emphasized that the implementation of the reviewed remuneration packages would be effective from January 1, 2023, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 32(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Government, as amended. He noted that the last remuneration review took place in 2007 and resulted in the "certain political, public and judicial office holders (salaries and allowances, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2008."

The Chairman further explained that it was imperative to review the remuneration packages for the mentioned office holders, as specified in the relevant sections of the constitution, considering that sixteen years had passed since the last review. The commission held a one-day zonal public hearing on the remuneration review on February 1, 2023, across all six geopolitical zones of the country. This exercise aimed to gather input and ideas from a wide range of stakeholders.

The criteria for the review were based on subjective factors derived from stakeholder memoranda, opinions expressed during the zonal public hearings, and responses to questionnaires. The objective criteria were established through the analysis of macroeconomic variables, particularly the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Regarding judicial office holders, the commission introduced three new allowances. These include the "Professional Development Assistant," which provides two law clerks to all judicial officers in the country. The "Long Service Allowance" ensures seniority and hierarchy between officers who have served on the bench for a minimum of five years and newly appointed ones. 

Lastly, the "Restricted or Forced Lifestyle" allowance takes into account the unique lifestyle requirements of judicial officers while they are in active service.