SERAP Sues to Stop Proposed Salary Hike for Nigerian Politicians

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 salaries for Nigeria’s political and public office holders, including the president, vice-president, governors, their deputies, and lawmakers.

In the suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1834/2025), filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to declare the proposed salary increases unlawful and unconstitutional, citing the Nigerian Constitution and prevailing economic hardship.

SERAP is seeking:A declaration that the salary hike violates constitutional principles and the RMAFC’s mandate. An injunction preventing RMAFC from implementing the proposed increases.An order directing RMAFC to reduce the current salaries and allowances to reflect Nigeria’s economic realities.

According to SERAP, the proposed pay rise is a misuse of RMAFC’s constitutional authority and undermines the rights and welfare of over 133 million impoverished Nigerians. The organization insists that any upward review is incompatible with the nation’s economic conditions, where many states struggle to pay workers’ salaries and pensions.

The group argues that RMAFC must balance the interests of public officials with those of the broader population, especially the poor and vulnerable, and prioritize reductions in excessive allowances and life pensions for ex-office holders.

The suit, filed by SERAP’s legal team Kolawole Oluwadare, Oluwakemi Oni, and Andrew Nwankwo also references a 2021 Federal High Court ruling that directed RMAFC to revise lawmakers’ pay downward, reinforcing that public funds must be allocated fairly and responsibly.

RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Bello had defended the proposed hike, calling current salaries “paltry” and claiming the revisions were “fair, realistic, and aligned with current economic conditions.” However, SERAP strongly disputes this rationale.

No date has been set for the hearing of the case.