Nigerian Senators' Running Costs Exposed: N21 Million Monthly Allowance Disclosed by Senator Sumaila

In a startling revelation, Kano South Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila disclosed that Nigerian senators earn N21 million monthly as running costs. This announcement comes amidst growing public scrutiny over the financial privileges enjoyed by lawmakers. Speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday, Sumaila detailed the breakdown of his earnings, explaining that while his official monthly salary is less than N1 million, the real income senators receive includes hefty allowances.

Sumaila clarified, "My monthly salary is a little over N600,000 after deductions, but in the Senate, each senator receives N21 million per month as running costs."

This disclosure follows recent criticisms from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who accused members of the National Assembly of violating the law by allocating themselves inflated salaries and allowances. Obasanjo's remarks have reignited public discourse on the need for transparency and reform within Nigeria's legislative body.

Meanwhile, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) also confirmed that senators' official monthly earnings amount to N1,063,860, inclusive of allowances for personal assistants, domestic staff, entertainment, utilities, and constituency services. However, the additional N21 million in running costs appears to be a separate entitlement, raising questions about the full extent of financial benefits enjoyed by lawmakers.

Sumaila's revelation has sparked further debate on the issue of legislative reforms and the demand for accountability in the management of public funds.