Nigerian lawmaker discredits RMAFC’s claims on salaries, allowances of senators
Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South in Nigeria’s National Assembly, has made headlines by claiming that his total monthly take-home pay is N21 million. This figure starkly contrasts with the official salary figures provided by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), which states that a senator’s salary and allowances amount to approximately N1,063,860 per month.
Breakdown of salary and allowances
Official salary according to RMAFC:
Basic Salary: N168,866.70
Motor Vehicle Fuelling and Maintenance Allowance: N126,650.00
Personal Assistant Pay: N42,216.66
Domestic Staff Allowance: N126,650.00
Entertainment Allowance: N50,660.00
Utilities Allowance: N50,660.00
Newspapers/Periodicals Allowance: N25,330.00
Wardrobe Allowance: N42,216.66
House Maintenance Allowance: N8,443.33
Constituency Allowance: N422,166.66
Total official monthly earnings: The total of these allowances sums up to approximately N1,063,860, which is significantly lower than what Senator Sumaila claims.
Senator Sumaila’s Claims
In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, Senator Sumaila clarified that while his official salary is less than N1 million, after deductions it amounts to about N600,000. He explained that the additional funds he receives—totaling N21 million—are categorized as “running costs” for his office operations.
Nature of running costs according to Senator Sumaila
The running costs cover various expenses related to his legislative duties.
These include domestic travel for legislative purposes and operational costs for maintaining his office.
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The discrepancy between Senator Sumaila’s claims and the RMAFC figures has sparked significant debate in Nigeria regarding the salaries of lawmakers amidst ongoing economic challenges faced by the country:
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo criticized lawmakers for allegedly fixing their own salaries and benefits without proper oversight.
There have been calls from citizens for a reduction in government spending on salaries as part of broader economic reforms.
This situation highlights a growing concern among Nigerians about transparency and accountability in government financial practices.
While Senator Kawu Sumaila asserts that he takes home N21 million monthly due to running costs associated with his role as a senator, this claim contradicts the officially stated earnings from RMAFC.
