The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has revealed shocking disparities in Nigeria’s pay structure, disclosing that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor and some agency heads earn up to 10 times more than the President and almost 20 times more than ministers.
Speaking during an interactive session with stakeholders, the RMAFC Chairman decried what he described as an “unfair and unsustainable” remuneration system, stressing that the salaries of political, legislative, and judicial office holders had not been reviewed since 2008.
“You cannot pay a minister less than a million naira per month since 2008 and expect him to put in his best without looking for other means of survival. Meanwhile, a CBN Governor or a Director-General of an agency earns 10 to 20 times higher than the President or the Attorney General. That is absolutely not right,” he said.
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Judiciary, Ministers, and Salary Gaps
While judicial salaries were reviewed last year in collaboration with the Presidency and National Assembly, the Commission insists that other political office holders remain stuck on outdated pay. The Chairman emphasized that this disparity fuels inefficiency and corruption, as those entrusted with national leadership are poorly remunerated compared to parastatal heads.

He clarified that the Commission’s constitutional mandate only covers political office holders, legislators, and key public officials—not minimum wage or civil servants’ salaries.
Lawmakers’ Allowances
The RMAFC Chairman also accused lawmakers of inflating their official earnings through “overheads and allowances” legally backed into law, creating a wide gap between their official pay and actual take-home packages.
Local Government Autonomy for Grassroots Development
Beyond salaries, he stressed that Nigeria’s development challenges are worsened by weak local government structures. According to him, local governments in the past were responsible for building schools, roads, and community projects, but today they lack independence as state governors control their funds.
“If we don’t get local government development right, Nigeria will not progress. Real development should return to the councils, not just the states or the federal government,” he said.
Revenue Allocation Formula Under Review
He revealed that the Commission is currently working on a new horizontal revenue sharing formula, modeled after similar federations worldwide. The report is expected before the end of the year.
He further urged citizens and advocacy groups to hold governors accountable for the huge allocations they receive, stressing that the focus should not only be on the President but also on how states utilize their resources.
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Subsidy Removal and Public Transport
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Commenting on the removal of fuel subsidy, the RMAFC boss faulted states for failing to roll out transport systems to cushion the effects on workers. He said subsidized public transport, as seen in Europe, America, and Asia, could significantly reduce hardship in Nigeria.
He also advocated for free primary and secondary education nationwide and welfare schemes for the poor, which he described as essential to building a fair society.
Public Support Needed
The RMAFC Chairman concluded by appealing for public support for the Commission’s upcoming salary review report, stressing that ensuring fair pay for political leaders and empowering local governments would be critical to Nigeria’s future development