Senator Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South in the Nigerian Senate, has disclosed that he receives N21 million monthly as “running cost” for his office.
The revelation was made during an interview with a popular Hausa media station, sparking discussions about the financial perks enjoyed by federal lawmakers.
Sumaila, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, explained that while the official salary of a senator is around N1 million per month, after taxes, the actual take-home pay is about N600,000.
“The amount of salary received per month is less than N1 million. If there are cuts, it comes back to about N600,000,” Sumaila stated.
He added, however, that beyond the salary, each senator is allocated N21 million monthly for office running costs, a figure that has drawn significant attention.
This disclosure comes shortly after former President Olusegun Obasanjo accused federal lawmakers of unilaterally fixing their salaries and allowances, a claim that the Senate has denied.
According to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the official monthly salary and allowances of a senator amount to N1,063,860.
This includes a basic salary of N168,866, and various allowances for vehicle maintenance, personal assistants, domestic staff, and entertainment, among others.
The commission also revealed that members of the House of Representatives receive a monthly salary and allowances totaling N794,086.
Senator Sumaila’s comments have fueled ongoing debates about the financial management and transparency within Nigeria’s legislative arm, with many citizens questioning the justification for such substantial allowances in the face of the country’s economic challenges.
