RMAFC on salaries of Senators: “They don’t earn what you think”

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has officially disclosed that each of the 109 senators in the red chamber receives a total monthly salary and allowances of ₦1,063,860.

This clarification comes on the heels of recent statements by former Senator Shehu Sani, who claimed that senators collect a staggering ₦13.5 million in monthly running costs, in addition to their ₦750,000 monthly salary.

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RMAFC Chairman, M. B. Shehu, felt compelled to address these claims, stating that the figures reported by Sani were misleading and do not align with the official remuneration structure set by the commission.

In breaking down the earnings, Shehu explained that a senator’s basic salary is ₦168,866.70, while allowances cover various needs, including motor vehicle fueling, maintenance, personal assistants, domestic staff, and entertainment.

The commission’s statement also highlighted a significant gap in its mandate, revealing that it lacks the constitutional authority to enforce compliance with the prescribed remuneration package for lawmakers. Shehu pointed out that this oversight is currently being addressed by the National Assembly, but until then, discrepancies may exist in how salaries are managed.

Interestingly, RMAFC also clarified that some allowances are categorized as “regular” and are paid monthly alongside the basic salary, while others, such as furniture allowance and severance gratuity, are non-regular and paid only once during a senator’s tenure.

The revelation has sparked further debate, especially in light of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent comments criticizing lawmakers for allegedly fixing their own salaries. Obasanjo had labeled it “immoral” and called for the RMAFC to take full control of determining legislative earnings. In response, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu refuted these allegations, challenging anyone with contrary evidence to step forward.