My Monthly Allowance Only is N21 Million, Nigerian Senator Reveals

Recently, Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila disclosed that he receives a monthly allowance of N21 million, in addition to his basic salary. 

This statement has sparked wide discussions amid the ongoing debates about the compensation of Nigerian federal lawmakers, a topic that has seen accusations of excessive and unauthorized earnings.

There have been controversies about the appropriateness of these allowances, considering the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians. 

Senator Sumaila, representing Kano South under the NNPP, clarified in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service that his basic monthly salary is under N1 million, which after certain deductions, nets down to just over N600,000. 

However, it is the additional N21 million monthly running cost that has caught the public’s eye, highlighting the substantial sums beyond the basic salary that senators in Nigeria receive.

This issue was brought into sharper focus by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent accusations against the National Assembly members. He criticized them for allegedly setting high salaries and allowances for themselves, which he claims go against the stipulated laws.

Moreover, the debate around lawmaker compensation isn’t new. Senator Shehu Sani, during his time representing Kaduna Central in the 8th Assembly, openly shared that each senator was allotted a monthly running cost of N13.5 million, besides the monthly basic salary of N750,000 set by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

Speaking on the official structure of these payments, Muhammed Bello Shehu, the chairman of RMAFC, noted that senators’ total monthly earnings amount to N1,063,860. 

This includes a variety of allowances ranging from motor vehicle maintenance to funds for domestic staff and constituency activities. 

He also pointed out that while some allowances like those for furniture and severance are paid once per tenure, others are disbursed monthly alongside the salary.

Importantly, the RMAFC chairman emphasized that apart from a few top positions such as the President and Senate President, housing benefits are no longer provided to political and public office holders as before. He urged the public to refer to the RMAFC website for accurate details on the remuneration packages to prevent misinformation.

These revelations are crucial as they provide a clear picture of the financial benefits of being a senator in Nigeria, beyond the basic salary. They also stir important discussions about the appropriateness of these allowances, considering the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians.