Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, the Senator representing Kano South in the National Assembly, disclosed that each Senator in Nigeria receives ₦21 million monthly in allowances and running costs. This figure significantly surpasses the officially stated salaries for Senators.
Speaking with the BBC Hausa Service, Sumaila, a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), explained that while his official salary, as set by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), is less than ₦1 million, his actual monthly earnings exceed this amount due to additional allowances.
“My monthly salary is less than ₦1 million. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over ₦600,000,” Sumaila noted. He further clarified, “Given the increase effected, in the Senate, each Senator gets ₦21 million every month as running cost.”
This disclosure comes at a time when the issue of lawmakers’ earnings is under intense scrutiny. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently criticized the National Assembly members for allegedly awarding themselves excessive salaries and allowances, in breach of existing regulations.
Additionally, former Senator Shehu Sani had previously revealed that Senators receive a monthly running cost of ₦13.5 million, on top of the ₦750,000 salary mandated by RMAFC.
In response to the controversy, RMAFC Chairman Muhammed Bello Shehu provided a detailed breakdown of Senators’ earnings. According to Shehu, Senators receive a total monthly compensation of ₦1,063,860, which includes a basic salary of ₦168,866.70, along with various allowances.
“A closer look at the monthly entitlement of Senators reveals that each Senator collects a monthly salary and allowances of the sum of N1,063,860:00 consisting of the following: Basic Salary- N168,866:70; Motor Vehicle Fuelling and Maintenance Allowance N126,650:00; Personal Assistant N42,216:66; Domestic Staff-126,650:00; Entertainment-N50,660:00; Utilities-N50,660:00; Newspapers/Periodicals-N25,330:00; Wardrobe-N42,216,66:00; House Maintenance -N8,443.33:00 and Constituency Allowance- N422,166:66; respectively,” the RMAFC chairman said in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday.
“The Commission also wishes to use this opportunity to state that any allegation regarding other allowance(s) being enjoyed by any political, public office holder outside those provided in the Remuneration (Amendment) Act, 2008 should be explained by the person who made the allegation.
“To avoid misinformation and misrepresentation of facts capable of misleading citizens and members of the International Community, the Commission considers it most appropriate and necessary to request Nigerians and any other interested party to avail themselves of the opportunity to access the actual details of the present Remuneration package for Political, Public and Judicial Office holders in Nigeria published on its website: www.rmafc.gov.ng,” he added.
