Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, the lawmaker representing Kano South in the Nigerian senate, disclosed that he as a lawmaker earns over ₦21 million monthly as his total take-home package.
Senator Kawu in an interview with BBC Hausa, on Wednesday disclosed that although his monthly salary is about N1 million, his total take-home was N21 million.
However, the senate countered senator Kawu and claimed that “the funds referred to by Senator Kawu Sumaila are neither his salary nor personal allowance.”
The senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, said the money is for running costs which other government agencies and arms of government have access to.
The salaries of political office holders have continued to generate discussion on the income disparities between Nigeria’s political elite and the country’s ordinary workers, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet on salaries that fall far below the promised minimum wage.
The Federal Government recently approved a new minimum wage of ₦70,000 for Nigerian workers, after a series of negotiations with the labour unions.
However, a large number of workers are still receiving the old minimum wage of ₦30,000, as the newly approved wage is yet to be implemented. Notably, some states insisted that they could not afford to pay the newly approved N70,000 underscoring the systemic issues plaguing the country’s labour sector.
To put Senator Sumaila’s earnings into perspective, his monthly salary alone is equivalent to the combined earnings of 300 workers receiving the promised ₦70,000 minimum wage. If calculated using the still-prevalent ₦30,000 minimum wage, his earnings are equivalent to those of 700 workers.
This questions the allocation of resources in a country where millions live in poverty, and the gap between the wealthy elite and the average citizen continues to widen.
Northern Senators Pay
When considering the cumulative earnings of the 58 senators from Northern Nigeria, who collectively earn ₦1,218,000,000 monthly, the amount could potentially pay the salaries of 17,400 workers at the new ₦70,000 minimum wage or 40,600 workers at the current ₦30,000 wage.
This further highlights the financial resources allocated to the country’s lawmakers, resources that could otherwise be used to uplift a significant portion of the population.
Critics
Many believe that the current system is unsustainable, suggesting that with other 360 lawmakers in the House of Representatives who also earn huge amounts, one House should be scraped and the lawmaking task to be handled by a single legislature.
The Nigerian Labour Unions have long criticized the disparity between the earnings of political officeholders and those of ordinary workers, arguing that the country’s wealth is disproportionately concentrated in the hands of a few.
This also brings to the forefront the ongoing debate about the role of lawmakers and the value they provide to their constituents. Critics argue that the high salaries and allowances enjoyed by senators and other political officeholders are not reflective of the services they render.
In a country grappling with widespread poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment, many citizens feel that their elected representatives are more concerned with their financial gain than with addressing the pressing issues facing the nation.
The situation also reflects broader issues within the Nigerian economy, where inflation continues to erode the purchasing power of ordinary citizens. Even if the new minimum wage were to be fully implemented, its impact would be diminished by the rising cost of living.
For many workers, the struggle to survive on their current salaries is a daily reality, one that is exacerbated by the knowledge that their elected representatives are earning millions each month.
While lawmakers like Senator Sumaila enjoy substantial financial benefits, millions of Nigerians continue to struggle with meagre wages.
