The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has addressed the ongoing debate about the salaries and allowances of Nigeria’s National Assembly members.
This issue has sparked widespread discussion among elder statesmen, public affairs commentators, civil society groups, and the media.
Chairman of the RMAFC, M.B. Shehu, stated that the clarification became necessary following remarks by former Senator Shehu Sani, who claimed that each senator receives a monthly running cost of N13.5 million in addition to the N750,000 monthly salary set by the commission.
The Chairman emphasized that the RMAFC lacks constitutional authority to enforce compliance with the remuneration package, although this gap is being addressed by the National Assembly.
According to Shehu, the monthly entitlements for senators amount to N1,063,860, comprising a basic salary of N168,866.70, motor vehicle fuelling and maintenance allowance of N126,650, personal assistant allowance of N42,216.66, domestic staff allowance of N126,650, entertainment allowance of N50,660, utilities allowance of N50,660, newspapers/periodicals allowance of N25,330, wardrobe allowance of N42,216.66, house maintenance allowance of N8,443.33, and constituency allowance of N422,166.66.
Shehu noted that some allowances are regular and paid with the basic salary, while others are non-regular and disbursed as needed. For example, furniture allowance and severance gratuity, each totaling N6,079,200, are paid once per tenure, while vehicle allowance, amounting to N8,105,600, is an optional loan that must be repaid before the senator leaves office.
He further clarified that except for a few political and public office holders, such as the President, Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, housing is no longer provided to public and legislative officers.
The RMAFC urged that any claims about additional allowances beyond those outlined in the Remuneration (Amendment) Act of 2008 should be clarified by those making such allegations.
To prevent misinformation, Shehu invited Nigerians and other interested parties to access the details of the remuneration package for political, public, and judicial office holders on the RMAFC website: [http://rmafc.gov.ng](http://rmafc.gov.ng).
