The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) said that each Nigerian Senator gets a monthly salary and allowances totalling N1,063,860. This amount covers various needs like entertainment and money for their community.
The Chairman of the Commission, M. B. Shehu, shared this information. It was published on the X page of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
This announcement was a response to statements made by Shehu Sani, a former Senator.
RMAFC Clears the Air
According to the Commission, Sani said that “each Senator collects a monthly running cost of N13.5 million, in addition to the monthly N750,000.00 given by the Commission.”
The Commission said this is not true.
The Chairman explained that right now, the RMAFC can’t force anyone to follow the proper pay structure.
He shared a detailed breakdown of the Senator’s monthly pay: “A total of N1,063,860, which includes: 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.”
“Some allowances are paid monthly while others are paid once. For example, Furniture Allowance (N6,079,200.00) and Severance Gratuity (N6,079,200.00) are paid once during a Senator’s term. Vehicle Allowance (N8,105,600.00), which is optional, is a loan that must be repaid before leaving office,” the statement read.
Shehu also noted that unlike in the past, most public and legislative officers, except the President, Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, do not get housing benefits anymore.
The statement also mentioned:
“Any claims about other allowances for politicians or public officeholders outside those in the Remuneration (Amendment) Act, 2008, should be verified with the person who made the claim.”
“To prevent false information, the Commission encourages Nigerians and other interested parties to check the actual details of the current pay package for political, public, and judicial officeholders in Nigeria on its website: rmafc.gov.ng.”
The Commission also tracks how money is collected and shared from the Federation Account.