The Nigerian political class is among the least paid in the world, and that needs to change, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Alhaji Mohammed Shehu, has said.

He regretted that the salaries of public officials have remained the same since 2008, despite three attempts to review them.

The RMAFC boss spoke during a meeting with editors at the weekend.

Shehu said it was not ideal that the President earns N1.5 million monthly, lower than both the Central Bank Governor and Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

According to him, the review of remuneration for executive and legislative office holders is at an advanced stage, with an executive bill on the Political and Public Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 2026, expected to be transmitted to the National Assembly.

Shehu said what the President would earn would be closer to what the Chief Justice of Nigeria earns, which is approximately N5.39 million monthly. NigerianBusiness News

“We cannot place the executive above the judiciary,” he said.

Shehu underscored the unique role occupied by RMAFC in the national governance architecture, noting that it is entrusted by the Constitution with the responsibility to monitor revenue accruals into the Federation Account, advise on revenue allocation formulas, and oversee remuneration for public office holders.

“This Commission stands at the heart of fiscal federalism in Nigeria,” he said.

“Every month, as revenues are shared among the federal, state and local governments, the work of this Commission directly influences national stability, development equity, and intergovernmental harmony,” he said.

He said despite this pivotal role, public understanding of RMAFC’s mandate remains limited.

“Too often, the Commission’s work is perceived as technical, distant, or misunderstood. In today’s democratic environment, that is no longer sufficient. Transparency must not only be practised; it must also be communicated clearly,” he said.

He unveiled a Strategic Communications Blueprint 2026–2030, stressing that revenue volatility requires stronger monitoring, while citizens demand accountability in public finance and states seek fairness and predictability.

He said the reform strategy is built on five core pillars: institutional clarity; transparency through technology; structured media engagement; thought leadership in fiscal federalism; internal alignment and professional excellence; and safeguarding neutrality.

Shehu said: “We will clearly articulate who we are, what we do, and what we are not. RMAFC is not a revenue-generating agency. We are the constitutional custodians of revenue fairness and fiscal equity.

“We will modernise our digital platforms, introduce accessible revenue allocation dashboards, and strengthen data accessibility so that Nigerians can better understand how resources are distributed.

“We will institutionalise quarterly briefings, policy explainers, and proactive media engagement to ensure accurate public understanding of allocation processes and sundry issues.

“RMAFC will play a more visible role in shaping national conversations around revenue diversification, allocation reform, and remuneration governance.

“Reform begins within. Our Commissioners and staff will operate under unified messaging standards, strengthened operational discipline, and enhanced performance transparency.

“Let me be clear: this initiative does not politicise the Commission. On the contrary, it reinforces our constitutional neutrality.

“Every communication under this reform will be anchored strictly within the provisions of the Constitution and our statutory mandate. Our loyalty is to the Federation of Nigeria, not to partisan interests. Fiscal equity is not a political slogan. It is a constitutional duty.”

He hoped the initiative would strengthen public confidence in the RMAFC’s mandate, improve intergovernmental trust, enhance institutional credibility, elevate Nigeria’s fiscal governance standards and, in the long term, contribute to a more stable federation where every tier of government understands not only what it receives, but why it receives it.

Calling for partnership, Shehu said: “Repositioning an institution of this stature requires collaboration. I therefore call on the executive arm for policy cooperation, the legislature for constructive engagement, state governments for sustained dialogue, the media for responsible reportage, and civil society and academia for informed participation. Together, we can strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s revenue governance framework.

Today, we begin a new chapter. We move from quiet constitutional oversight to visible institutional leadership, from technical obscurity to transparent clarity, from reactive communication to strategic engagement.

“This reform is not about image. It is about responsibility. It is about ensuring that every naira due to the Federation is properly monitored, fairly allocated, and transparently accounted for.

“With discipline, professionalism, and unwavering constitutional fidelity, we will reinforce the Commission’s role as a stabilising pillar of our federal democracy.” (The Nation)

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