Former presidential aide Laolu Akande has criticized Nigerian lawmakers for their disregard for the welfare of the people, as evidenced by the staggering running costs they have approved for themselves. Akande accused the Senators and Representatives of prioritizing their personal gains over the needs of the average Nigerian citizen.
The veteran said this during My Take segment on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television, on Friday.
“One of the most compelling absurdities in our national life today is the stack reality that a political office holders specifically Senators and Rep have take home compensations that are not only among the highest in the world in this times with our economy but ridiculously higher than what surgeons, cardiologist and other profession earn in this country. There is no other place in the world where this is even possible…” he said.
He said further, “some of the members of the National Assembly and their leaders over the years try to pull wool over our eyes saying that the running cost that those are not salaries but the money are paid directly into their account and they spend the money entirely at their discretions some of them even tried to justify the huge sum you know based on the numerous claims and request that the get from their constituents who ask them for help regarding medical bills, school fees, rent money and all of the other things but the reality of the matter is that when we relegate the take home of a top notch consultant surgeon who is at the peak of his profession with all of his/her experience.”
Akande highlighted a glaring discrepancy between the earnings of Nigeria’s lawmakers and those of top medical professionals. He pointed out that while Nigerian Senators and Representatives earn more than 20 million Naira per month, an orthopedic or heart surgeon in Nigeria earns an average of 17.5 million Naira annually. This disparity, he argued, is unprecedented and unacceptable on a global scale.
He compared this to international standards, noting that U.S. Congress members earn $174,000 annually, significantly less than the $565,000 earned by an average orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. Similarly, in the UK, Members of Parliament receive 9,100 pounds per year, whereas a consultant doctor earns over 13,100 pounds annually. In South Africa, Parliamentarians make between 1.2 million and 1.7 million Rands per year, while top consultants earn over 2.3 million Rands.
Akande criticized the justification used by some lawmakers who argue that the substantial allowances they receive are necessary to cover the various requests from constituents. He dismissed this rationale, emphasizing that no justification could reconcile such disproportionate salaries with the reality faced by Nigeria’s public servants and essential service providers.
The former aide also condemned the legal and ethical violations involved, citing a 2021 Federal High Court ruling which stated that the National Assembly lacked the authority to determine their own salaries and allowances. Despite this, the current leadership of the National Assembly reportedly increased the running cost from 14 million Naira to 21 million Naira per month, in blatant disregard for the court’s decision.
Akande acknowledged Senator Kawu Ismaila of the New Nigeria Peoples Party for his honesty in revealing his monthly salary of over 21 million Naira. He contrasted this with the dire conditions faced by public institutions, such as schools, hospitals, and police stations, which struggle with inadequate funding.
The former presidential aide concluded by expressing his disappointment in the lack of trust the Nigerian people now have in their leaders. He argued that if the political elite truly cared about public trust and welfare, they would address the glaring imbalances and reduce their own excessive compensations. The overall message was clear: the current state of governance is a betrayal of public trust and reflects a deep moral and ethical failure within Nigeria’s political system.
