The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has provided a breakdown of the salaries and allowances for each of the 109 senators in Nigeria, stating that they earn a total of ₦1,063,860 per month.
This clarification comes after former Senator Shehu Sani claimed that each senator receives a monthly running cost of ₦13.5 million, in addition to a ₦750,000 salary as set by the commission. Sani’s statement had sparked significant public interest and debate.
In response to these claims, RMAFC Chairman M. B. Shehu issued a statement on Tuesday, explaining the exact components of the senators’ monthly earnings.
According to Shehu, the monthly breakdown includes:
– Basic Salary: ₦168,866.70
– Motor Vehicle Fuelling and Maintenance Allowance: ₦126,650.00
– Personal Assistant Allowance: ₦42,216.66
– Domestic Staff Allowance: ₦126,650.00
– Entertainment Allowance: ₦50,660.00
– Utilities Allowance: ₦50,660.00
– Newspapers/Periodicals Allowance: ₦25,330.00
– Wardrobe Allowance: ₦42,216.66
– House Maintenance Allowance: ₦8,443.33
– Constituency Allowance: ₦422,166.66
Shehu clarified that some of these allowances are paid regularly along with the basic salary, while others are non-regular and disbursed only when due. For instance, the Furniture Allowance of ₦6,079,200 and Severance Gratuity of ₦6,079,200 are only paid once per tenure. Additionally, the Vehicle Allowance of ₦8,105,600 is a loan that senators must repay before leaving office.
Shehu also pointed out that the RMAFC lacks the constitutional authority to enforce compliance with the proper implementation of remuneration packages for lawmakers.
He added that, unlike in the past, housing is no longer provided to public and legislative officers, except for the president, vice president, senate president, and the speaker of the House of Representatives.
This detailed breakdown aims to address public concerns and misconceptions about the actual earnings of Nigerian senators.
