The issue of federal lawmakers’ salaries and allowances has continued to spark controversy across Nigeria.
This follows a claim by Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila (NNPP – Kano South) that he receives N21 million in monthly allowances, in addition to a monthly salary of around N1 million.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently criticized National Assembly members, accusing them of setting inflated salaries and allowances for themselves in violation of existing laws.
Senator Shehu Sani, who served Kaduna Central during the 8th Assembly, previously revealed that each Senator receives a monthly running cost of N13.5 million, on top of the N750,000 monthly allowance stipulated by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
On Tuesday, the RMAFC disclosed that the actual total monthly salary and allowances for each Senator amounts to N1,063,860.00.
The breakdown provided by the Commission includes: a basic salary of N168,866.70; motor vehicle fuelling and maintenance allowance of N126,650; personal assistant allowance of N42,216.66; domestic staff allowance of N126,650.00; entertainment allowance of N50,660.00; utilities allowance of N50,660.00; newspapers/periodicals allowance of N25,330.00; wardrobe allowance of N42,216.66; house maintenance of N8,443.33; and constituency allowance of N422,166.66.
In an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday morning, Senator Sumaila acknowledged that while his monthly salary is fixed by the RMAFC, it is under N1 million.
He stated, “My monthly salary is less than N1 million. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over N600,000,” adding that “Given the increase effected, in the Senate, each Senator gets N21 million every month as running cost.”
Shehu added that some “allowances are regular while others are non-regular. Regular allowances are paid regularly with basic salary while non-regular allowances are paid as of when due.
“For instance, furniture allowance (N6,079,200 million) and severance gratuity (N6,079,200 million) are paid once in every tenure and vehicle allowance (N8,105,600 million) which is optional is a loan which the beneficiary has to pay before leaving office.
RMAFC Chairman, Muhammed Bello Shehu, clarified on Tuesday that some allowances are regular and paid alongside the basic salary, while others are non-regular and disbursed as due.
For instance, furniture and severance gratuity allowances are one-time payments per tenure, and vehicle allowances, which are optional, are given as loans that must be repaid before leaving office.
Shehu detailed that the total monthly entitlement of each Senator includes a basic salary of N168,866.70; motor vehicle fuelling and maintenance allowance of N126,650.00; personal assistant allowance of N42,216.66; domestic staff allowance of N126,650.00; entertainment allowance of N50,660.00; utilities allowance of N50,660.00; newspapers/periodicals allowance of N25,330.00; wardrobe allowance of N42,216.66; house maintenance of N8,443.33; and constituency allowance of N422,166.66.
He noted that, except for a few high-ranking officials such as the President, Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, other public and legislative officers are no longer provided with housing as they were previously.
The RMAFC Chairman also addressed allegations of additional allowances not covered by the Remuneration (Amendment) Act, 2008, urging that any such claims be clarified by those who make them. To prevent misinformation and ensure transparency, he encouraged interested parties to consult the RMAFC website for detailed information on the current remuneration package for political, public, and judicial office holders in Nigeria.
Shehu also expressed frustration that the RMAFC lacks constitutional authority to enforce compliance with the official remuneration package, a gap he indicated is being addressed by the National Assembly.