On July 22, 1980, former President Shehu Shagari had a meeting to resolve a dispute between the President and the National Assembly over the remuneration and allowances of Assembly members and other public office holders, including the President. The National Assembly wanted much higher remuneration and allowances than President Shagari thought necessary or prudent.

Hear him: “…Members of both the national and state assemblies have proposed salaries and allowances for both themselves and other political office holders which, in my considered opinion, are outside existing realities and the salary relativities since 1966, and which will have serious repercussions on the economy and industrial harmony.”

In the end, President Shagari made some concessions, allocating to 5 charities the difference in his own remuneration.