The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) over its proposal to increase the salaries of Nigeria’s top political and public office holders.
The legal action, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1834/2025), challenges the planned pay rise for the President, Vice President, governors, their deputies and members of the National Assembly.
RMAFC had in August announced its intention to review upward what it described as the “paltry” salaries of these office holders.
However, SERAP is arguing that such a move is unlawful, unconstitutional, and inconsistent with the principles of the rule of law and current economic realities.
In a statement released on Sunday by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the group is asking the court to declare the proposed salary increase unlawful and unconstitutional, restrain RMAFC and its agents from implementing the new pay structure and order RMAFC to instead review downward the salaries and allowances of political office holders in line with Nigeria’s economic conditions.
SERAP maintains that any arbitrary salary increment for top officials especially at a time when over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty and many states struggle to pay salaries and pensions, is a violation of the public interest and constitutional principles.
SERAP’s legal team led by Kolawole Oluwadare, Oluwakemi Oni and Andrew Nwankwo argues that RMAFC’s constitutional and statutory mandates do not give it unchecked powers to hike salaries, especially in the face of widespread economic hardship.
The suit references the 1999 Constitution (as amended), particularly Chapters 2 and 4, which outline the state’s obligations to promote economic justice and ensure equality and non-discrimination.
It also cites Section 42, reinforcing citizens’ socio-economic rights.
According to SERAP, RMAFC appears to prioritize the interests of political elites over the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
The organization is calling for a rebalancing of national priorities.
“The Commission should focus on cutting the excessive allowances and life pensions enjoyed by political office holders, instead of rewarding them with higher salaries.”
The statement further criticized the rationale behind the proposed hike, noting that the RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Bello, claimed the pay review was necessary as salaries had not been comprehensively adjusted since 1992, despite executive increments since 2002.
Bello had described the proposed salary adjustment as “fair, realistic, and sustainable,” and in tune with Nigeria’s socio-economic realities, a position SERAP firmly rejects.
SERAP also pointed to a 2021 Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Chuka Austine Obiozor, which ordered RMAFC to reduce the salaries and allowances of lawmakers to reflect prevailing economic conditions.
That case was brought by SERAP alongside BudgIT, EiE Nigeria, and over 1,500 concerned citizens.
Under the Constitution, members of the RMAFC are appointed by the President, subject to Senate confirmation, in line with Sections 154(1), 156(3), and Paragraph 31, Part I of the Third Schedule.
SERAP’s suit is currently awaiting a hearing date.
