The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has increased the remuneration of President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other political and judicial officeholders by 114 per cent.
Mr Tinubu will earn N8,013,527 monthly, a 114 per cent increase from former President Muhammadu Buhari’s monthly salary of N3,514,705, according to a report presented by RMAFC chairman, Muhammadu Shehu, on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi.
The RMAFC chairman, was represented by the federal commissioner, Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba.
Mr Shehu said the move was in line with paragraph 32(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the commission to review the remuneration of political office holders.
He noted that the last review was carried out in 2007.
According to him, the commission held a public hearing in all the geopolitical zones to deliberate on the review of remuneration packages on February 1.
“The subjective criteria reflected the various expressions by stakeholders through memoranda received, opinions expressed during the zonal public hearings and responses to questionnaires administered,” he said.
“The objectives of the criteria were obtained from analysis of macro-economic variables, particularly the Consumer Price Index (CPI).”
He added that the commission was also guided by some principles, including equity and fairness; risk and responsibilities; national order of precedence; motivation and tenure of office.
Mr Shehu said concerning allowances and fringe benefits, the commission recommended that the existing allowances be maintained at the current levels since that would translate to higher provisions in actual amounts when applied on the reviewed annual basic salary.
The chairman said that the commission introduced three new allowances for judicial officers.
He listed the allowances to include “Professional Development Assistant: This is to allow for the provision of two law clerks to all judicial officers in the country.
“Long Service Allowance: This is to guarantee seniority/hierarchy between officers who have been on the bench for a minimum of five years and those that are appointed newly.
“Restricted or Forced Lifestyle: This is to take care of the nature of the lifestyle of judicial officers while in active service.”
Mr Shehu said the commission recommended January 1, 2023, as the effective date for implementing the reviewed remuneration packages.
He urged the 36 states Houses of Assembly to hasten efforts to amend relevant laws to allow for upward review of remuneration packages for political, judicial and public officers.
The work by the State Houses of Assembly will allow for the commencement of implementation of the reviewed remuneration packages for political, public and judicial officers.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
