Are You Aware? 109 Senators Earn N1.4 Billion Annually

Have you ever wondered how much a Nigerian senator earns? The numbers might surprise you! Each of the 109 senators in Nigeria’s upper chamber takes home a substantial amount, adding up to a whopping N1.4 billion annually. ..Read Full Article

According to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), each senator earns a salary and allowances totaling N1.06 million monthly. This might seem straightforward, but the structure of these earnings is quite detailed.

The basic monthly salary of a senator is N168,866.70, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. They also receive various allowances for motor vehicle fueling and maintenance (N126,650.00), a personal assistant (N42,216.66), domestic staff (N126,650.00), and even entertainment (N50,660.00).

Other allowances include utilities, newspapers/periodicals, wardrobe, house maintenance, and a substantial constituency allowance of N422,166.66 each month.

Some allowances are not paid monthly but are significant. These include a furniture allowance and severance gratuity, each amounting to N6,079,200.00 paid once per tenure.

Additionally, an optional vehicle allowance of N8,105,600.00 is considered a loan that must be repaid before the senator leaves office.
Controversies and clarifications

The RMAFC recently clarified these figures amid controversies over the actual earnings of lawmakers. Former senator Shehu Sani had claimed that senators receive a monthly running cost of N13.5 million, which sparked widespread discussions.

However, the RMAFC’s clarification pointed out that they do not have the authority to enforce compliance with these figures, indicating a gap that the National Assembly is looking to address.

The Senate, responding to criticisms, emphasized that their salaries are determined strictly by the RMAFC and not self-assigned. This response was particularly targeted at former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s criticism of the salary-setting process.

Former President Obasanjo, who held office from May 1999 to May 2007, openly criticized the practice where lawmakers set their own salaries. He labeled this practice as “immoral” and suggested that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) should be responsible for setting the salaries and allowances of legislators instead.