Founder of Follow The Money, Hamzat Lawal, has criticized Nigerian politicians seeking salary increases, urging them to resign and explore private sector opportunities instead of burdening already struggling citizens.
Speaking Thursday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Lawal reacted to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s (RMAFC) recent proposal to review the salaries of political officeholders, including President Bola Tinubu.
“If they believe their salaries are inadequate, they should quit and find private sector jobs or even start businesses where they can pay themselves what they want,” Lawal stated.
He acknowledged that public office salaries hadn’t been reviewed in over three decades but argued that the country’s current economic conditions make such a review “insensitive” and ill-timed.
Lawal described the proposal as a “political trap” aimed at damaging President Tinubu’s public image, warning that any move to implement salary hikes would contradict the president’s earlier call for national sacrifice.
“Mr. President said Nigerians should tighten their belts so why are political leaders unwilling to do the same?” he asked.
The activist also criticized the RMAFC for failing to prioritize its constitutional responsibilities, such as ensuring value for public expenditure and promoting infrastructure investment.
He questioned why the focus remained on salaries rather than broader allowances, foreign travel estacodes, and the luxury enjoyed by top officials, such as armored vehicles.
Lawal further recommended slashing the salaries of high-earning politicians to boost the earnings of low-income public servants and called for full autonomy for local governments as a better use of national resources.
Meanwhile, RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu revealed that President Tinubu currently earns ₦1.5 million monthly, while ministers earn under ₦1 million, a pay scale that has remained unchanged since 2008.
Shehu described these figures as outdated and inadequate in light of increasing national responsibilities.
