The Nigerian House of Representatives has announced plans to hand over a sum of ₦704.91 million to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on December 31, 2024. This donation is aimed at supporting underprivileged Nigerians facing economic hardship following the removal of the petrol subsidy.
The funds were collected after lawmakers decided to reduce their salaries by 50% for six months. This resolution, made on July 18, 2024, was part of efforts to ease the burden on citizens caused by rising costs of living.
During a plenary session on Thursday, the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, commended his colleagues for their commitment to this initiative. He stated:
“If you recall, about five months ago, we decided to contribute half of our salaries to address the critical needs of the Nigerian people. I am happy to inform you that so far, we have contributed N704,907,578.82.”
Tajudeen further announced that a delegation from the House, led by him, would personally deliver the funds to the President, emphasizing that the money was for the “exclusive use of vulnerable Nigerians who truly need it.”
The salary cut idea was first proposed by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu. During the July session, Kalu urged his colleagues to make the sacrifice, noting that “this government is doing its best, but one year is not enough to address the challenges of this country.”
At ₦600,000 per month, lawmakers agreed to relinquish half their earnings to help alleviate hunger and calm rising public discontent. This act highlights the House’s commitment to supporting citizens during tough economic times.
