Kano Senator Reveals N21 Million Monthly Earnings Amid Public Scrutiny.
In a startling revelation that has reignited public debate over the earnings of Nigerian lawmakers, a Kano senator has disclosed that he earns a cumulative sum of N21 million monthly in salary and allowances, following a recent pay increase.
Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South senatorial district, made this disclosure during a chat with the BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday morning.
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Senator Sumaila explained that while his official salary is less than N1 million, with deductions reducing it to around N600,000, the actual financial benefits far exceed this figure due to the substantial running costs provided to senators.
“My monthly salary is less than N1 million. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over N600,000,” he stated. He further revealed, “Given the increase effected, in the Senate, each senator gets N21 million every month as running cost.
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The senator’s admission has sparked fresh controversy, particularly in light of the economic challenges currently facing the country. Many Nigerians have expressed concern over the disparity between the earnings of political officeholders and the average citizen, especially as the nation grapples with economic hardships.
The controversy is further fueled by the stark contrast between the figures disclosed by Senator Sumaila and the official breakdown provided by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
According to RMAFC, each senator is entitled to a total monthly salary and allowances of N1,063,860. This amount includes a basic salary of N168,866.70 and various allowances for expenses such as motor vehicle fuelling and maintenance, personal assistants, domestic staff, entertainment, and constituency-related activities.
The breakdown of the cumulative take-home pay, as outlined by RMAFC, includes N168,866.70 as a basic salary, N126,650 for motor vehicle fuelling and maintenance, N42,216.66 for a personal assistant, N126,650 for domestic staff, N50,660 for entertainment, N50,660 for utilities, N25,330 for newspapers/periodicals, N42,216.66 for wardrobe allowance, N8,443.33 for house maintenance, and N422,166.66 for constituency allowance.
The revelation by Senator Sumaila has intensified the ongoing debate about the appropriateness of the compensation packages for lawmakers, given the nation’s current economic situation. As public scrutiny mounts, many are calling for greater transparency and a review of the financial benefits accorded to political officeholders.
The issue is expected to remain a hot topic of discussion, particularly as the public continues to grapple with the rising cost of living and economic instability.
