The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has condemned the proposed salary increase for political office holders, describing it as a display of insensitivity by the Federal Government towards the struggles of Nigerian workers.
The proposal, reportedly put forward by the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), has sparked outrage among labour unions who argue that the nation’s resources are being mismanaged in favour of an already privileged political class.
Speaking in Abuja, SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, criticised the government’s move, stating that politicians already receive a disproportionate share of the country’s wealth while civil servants remain poorly paid despite their hard work.
“Politicians, who we consider the unproductive group, are being pampered with huge sums and benefits, while civil servants, the productive class, can barely survive. How do you justify millions going to politicians every month while workers can’t even afford basic necessities?” Ibrahim queried.
He noted that political office holders enjoy numerous allowances, including free accommodation, utilities, and transportation, yet still seek additional pay rises. “The entire system is skewed in their favour, while the masses bear the brunt of bad roads, poor electricity, high cost of living, and inadequate salaries,” he added.
Ibrahim warned that labour unions would not hesitate to respond if the proposal is implemented, stressing that the government should prioritise infrastructural development and improved welfare for workers instead of enriching a few individuals.
“As far as we are concerned, any responsible government should focus on compensating the hardworking population that drives the economy, not the unproductive few who take so much and give so little,” he concluded.
