The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has formally submitted its reviewed remuneration proposals for retired permanent secretaries and political public office holders to President Bola Tinubu for approval. Mohammed Shehu, the RMAFC chairman, disclosed this during a meeting with the Council of Retired Permanent Secretaries at the commission's headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, as reported by Nairametrics on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
RMAFC Chairman Affirms Support for Retired Officials
Shehu informed the retired permanent secretaries that the commission had carefully examined their requests as part of its constitutional mandate. He stated that many of the concerns raised by the council were accommodated during the review process before the recommendations were sent to the president. Shehu said: 'We have carefully considered your case within our constitutional mandate and submitted our recommendations. We remain fully supportive of initiatives that will ensure retired Permanent Secretaries live dignified lives after years of meritorious service.'
First Major Salary Review in Nearly Two Decades
This review marks the first major attempt to update the remuneration of political and public office holders in almost 20 years. The RMAFC began the process in 2025, following a similar review of judicial officers' remuneration, which President Tinubu approved in 2024. Currently, President Tinubu earns N1.5 million monthly, while ministers receive less than N1 million—figures unchanged since 2008. The new package, if approved, is expected to take effect in the next fiscal year to allow for budgetary provisions.
Factors Considered in the Review
The RMAFC based its recommendations on submissions from stakeholders, memoranda from public hearings, contributions from government ministries, prevailing economic realities, and remuneration practices in other countries. Insiders indicated that the agency assessed the government's financial capacity to implement any adjustments, ensuring the recommendations are fair, practical, and sustainable over the long term.
Criticism from Opposition Figure Bode George
In 2025, Bode George, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), criticised the RMAFC's plan to review salaries of the president, cabinet members, and other political office holders. Speaking to The Punch, George described the move as insensitive, given the economic hardship faced by Nigerians. He said: 'This is a very insensitive attitude. The people are hungry, and between the people and the government, who should sacrifice for the other? Why are they thinking about this now? In a sensible country, who should sacrifice for the other? What are they reviewing their salaries for?' He added: 'Look at the billions they have to play with. These people should have the fear of God and do the right thing for once. Families are hungry and unable to pay the school fees for their children. This should bother these people, not an increase in the earnings of politicians.'
Broader Context of Public Service Reforms
The salary review comes amid other government reforms, including the suspension of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, announced by Education Minister Tunji Alausa after a Federal Executive Council meeting. The suspension aims to eliminate duplication and waste, redirecting resources to upgrade existing facilities.
