The Senate has refuted claims that Nigerian senators receive a monthly salary and allowances totaling N21 million.
This clarification was made by Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu (APC – Ekiti South), Chairman of the Senate Committees on Media and Public Affairs, in response to recent allegations by Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila (NNPP – Kano South).
In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, Senator Sumaila claimed that each senator receives N21 million monthly as running costs, in addition to their statutory salary of N1 million. He stated, “Given the increase effected, in the Senate, each Senator gets N21 million every month as running cost.”
Senator Adaramodu, however, emphasized that the “running cost” mentioned by Senator Sumaila is distinct from the actual salary and personal allowances of lawmakers. He clarified that the salary of senators is determined by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the agency responsible for setting the remuneration of political officeholders. According to the RMAFC Chairman, Muhammed Bello, each senator’s monthly salary and allowances amount to N1,063,860.
Adaramodu further explained that the running costs are not exclusive to the National Assembly but are also necessary for the operational expenses of other branches of government. He stressed, “Running cost is not a personal allowance or salary of a legislator. Such funds are retired by relevant officers after being used for official purposes and proof of genuine expenditure.” He added that these funds are also used to maintain lawmakers’ constituency offices and staff.
Responding to the portrayal of wasteful spending by the Parliament, Adaramodu highlighted the professionalism and integrity of the Senate members, stating, “The Nigerian Senate is an Assembly of accomplished and successful professionals, administrators, and captains of industries, who are not driven by these often touted egregious pecuniary bits, rather for their patriotic zeal in the nation’s quest to breathe life to Nigeria’s political and socio-economic dry bones.”
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He reiterated that the Senate must respond to outdated claims regarding inflated salaries and allowances attributed to senators. “For the umpteenth time, the Senate is compelled to react to the obsolete allegations of a phantom salary and personal emoluments spuriously credited to Senators monthly,” Adaramodu said.
He also noted that all government bodies, including governors, ministers, and local councils, utilize running costs for their operations, with the National Assembly being no exception. “Thus the money referred to by Senator Kawu Sumaila is neither his salary nor personal allowance. It’s for the daily running of offices by Senators and other attached statutory officials. It equally provides funds for constituency office staff. It is also for oversight functions and community engagements,” he explained.
Adaramodu concluded by noting that the National Assembly receives about one percent of the federal budget and has consistently adhered to this limit, even amidst financial constraints. He emphasized the Senate’s dedication to serving the nation, stating, “The Nigerian Senate is committed to serving the nation with integrity and dedication, driven by a patriotic desire to revitalize Nigeria’s socio-economic fabric.”
To further clarify the statement, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) stated that “monthly salary and allowances of a senator amounts to N1,063,860.”
A breakdown shows that a senator’s basic salary is N168,866, motor vehicle fuelling and maintenance allowance of N126,650.00; personal assistant pay of N42,216.66; domestic staff is 126,650.00 and entertainment is N50,660.00.
Meanwhile, other benefits include utilities for N50,660.00; newspapers/periodicals N25,330.00; wardrobe allowance at N42,216,66.00; house maintenance for N8,443.33.00 and constituency allowance N422,166.66.
