The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has clarified the monthly earnings of each of Nigeria’s 109 senators, revealing that their salary and allowances total ₦1,063,860.
This clarification comes after former Senator Shehu Sani claimed that senators receive a running cost of ₦13.5 million in addition to a ₦750,000 monthly payment.
Amid ongoing discussions about lawmakers’ earnings, former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently criticized the practice of legislators determining their own salaries and allowances, calling it unethical and suggesting that RMAFC should be responsible for setting these figures.
In response, RMAFC Chair M. B. Shehu provided a detailed breakdown of senators’ monthly earnings.
The figures include a basic salary of ₦168,866.70, with additional allowances for various expenses such as motor vehicle fuelling and maintenance (₦126,650), domestic staff (₦126,650), and constituency activities (₦422,166.66).
Shehu also explained that some allowances are paid regularly, alongside the basic salary, while others, such as furniture allowance (₦6,079,200) and severance gratuity (₦6,079,200), are paid only once during a senator’s tenure.
Additionally, a vehicle allowance (₦8,105,600) is offered as a loan, which must be repaid before the senator leaves office.
He further noted that the RMAFC does not have the constitutional authority to enforce the proper implementation of lawmakers’ remuneration packages.
Additionally, unlike in the past, housing is no longer provided for most public and legislative officers, excluding the president, vice president, senate president, and speaker of the House of Representatives.
