Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, the Senator representing Kano South, has disclosed that Nigerian Senators receive ₦21 million monthly for allowances and running costs. This revelation came during an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday.

Sumaila, who is a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), stated that while his official salary, set by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), is under ₦1 million and drops to around ₦600,000 after deductions, the overall monthly running cost allocation for each Senator is ₦21 million.

This disclosure has reignited public debate over the transparency and appropriateness of lawmakers’ earnings in Nigeria. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had previously criticized lawmakers for allegedly securing excessive salaries and allowances contrary to existing laws.

Shehu Sani, a former Senator from Kaduna Central, had earlier revealed that Senators receive a monthly running cost of ₦13.5 million in addition to ₦750,000 as per RMAFC guidelines.

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In response to these claims, RMAFC Chairman Muhammed Bello Shehu clarified that each Senator’s total monthly salary and allowances amount to ₦1,063,860. This figure includes a basic salary of ₦168,866.70 and various allowances such as motor vehicle maintenance (₦126,650), personal assistant (₦42,216.66), domestic staff (₦126,650), entertainment (₦50,660), utilities (₦50,660), newspapers/periodicals (₦25,330), wardrobe (₦42,216.66), house maintenance (₦8,443.33), and constituency allowance (₦422,166.66).

The RMAFC Chairman also noted that additional allowances like furniture and severance gratuity are paid once per term, while vehicle allowances are offered as loans to be repaid before leaving office. He emphasized that any allegations of additional undisclosed allowances should be substantiated by the accuser.

The commission has called for transparency and encourages Nigerians to refer to their website for detailed information on the remuneration packages for public office holders, asserting that they lack the authority to enforce compliance.