The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has revealed the staggering earnings of each of the 109 senators in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, who rake in a monthly total of N1,063,860 in salary and allowances.
In a detailed breakdown, the commission itemizes the senators’ income as follows: Basic Salary – N168,866.70; Motor Vehicle Fuelling and Maintenance Allowance – N126,650.00; Personal Assistant – N42,216.66; Domestic Staff – N126,650.00; Entertainment – N50,660.00; Utilities – N50,660.00; Newspapers/Periodicals – N25,330.00; Wardrobe – N42,216.66; House Maintenance – N8,443.33; and Constituency Allowance – N422,166.66. A comprehensive tally that paints a vivid picture of how each senator allocates their financial resources.
In a statement made on Tuesday, RMAFC chair M. B. Shehu addressed recent claims by former Senator Shehu Sani, who alleged that senators receive an additional outrageous monthly running cost of N13.5 million alongside the prescribed N750,000. Shehu clarified that RMAFC lacks constitutional authority to enforce compliance with the remuneration package of lawmakers, though he noted that this gap is being actively addressed by the National Assembly.
Shehu elaborated that allowances can be categorized as regular or non-regular. “Regular allowances are disbursed alongside basic salaries, while non-regular allowances are paid as expenses warrant,” he explained. Notably, furniture allowance (N6,079,200.00) and severance gratuity (N6,079,200.00) are one-time payments each senator receives per tenure, while vehicle allowance (N8,105,600.00) functions as an optional loan to be repaid before exiting office.
Crucially, Shehu emphasized that, aside from the president, vice president, senate president, and speaker of the House of Representatives, all public and legislative officers no longer receive housing benefits, a shift from past practices.
Tensions flared on Sunday when the Senate confronted former President Olusegun Obasanjo in response to his controversial remarks suggesting that lawmakers in both chambers of the National Assembly (NASS) dictate their own salaries.
The debate continues, drawing attention to the intricate balance of power and compensation within the corridors of governance.
