Salaries of Nigerian Law Makers: The Breakdown

There have been cries from different Quarter of the need to cut down on the enormous earnings of Nigeria Lawmakers so that more funds will be available to bolster the failing economy. The general narrative is that Nigeria legislatures are more paid than all their counterpart in other nations of the world. While it is hoped that this issue be addressed in  this newly inaugurated assembly, here are the Prevailing Salary structures of Nigeria legislature: 

SENATE:
The Senate President has a total Annual Basic Salary of N2, 484, 242.50 and Annual Allowance of N6, 210, 606. 25 , making a total Annual salary of N8, 694, 848.75 which brings the monthly salary to about N724, 570.75.

In addition, he collects 250 per cent of his Annual Salary as Constituency Allowance.

However, his vehicles and their maintenance are provided by the federal government.

Similarly, his domestic staff, entertainment, utilities, security responsibility, Legislative Aids, House Maintenance an, as well as a Special Adviser and a Personal Assistant are provided by the federal government.

Similarly Robe (clothing) and newspapers are provided for the Senate President.

The Deputy Senate President enjoys the same benefits except that his Annual Basic Salary stands at N 2,309,166.75, total allowance N 5,772,916.8, bringing total annual salary to 8,082,083.63 and a monthly pay of N 673,506.97

The Senate Majority Leader receives a salary of N12, 968, 960. The Minority leader receives a total annual salary of N12, 908, 168. The Whip receives N12, 867 . The same applies to Committee Chairmen. Incidentally in the last administration almost all senators were chairmen of various committees.

The allowances received by the members of the upper legislative chamber is far more than their salaries indicate.

For instance, each senator receives 75 per cent of the annual salary as allowance for a vehicle and its maintenance. They collect another 75 per cent of their salaries for domestic staff; 30 per cent for entertainment; 30 per cent for utilities; 25 per cent for robe (clothing); and 250 per cent as Constituency Allowance.

Others include, another allowance unspecified which stands at 53 per cent; newspapers 15 per cent; Personal Assistance, 24 per cent; and House maintenance 5 per cent.

In addition, the Leader receives 10 per cent for Responsibility; Minority Leader 7; while the Whip and Committee chairmen receive 5 per cent for the same purpose.
Ordinary senators receive a basic salary of 2,026,400.00; annual allowance of N10,739,920.00 , bring it to a total of N 12,766,320.00.

Other non-regular allowances include 300 per cent gratuity for the Senate President; and estacode of $1, 00 per night for foreign trips, as well as, a N37,000 per night duty tour allowance.

All the senators who have just finished their terms at the 7th National Assembly are therefore entitled to 300 per cent of the annual salaries as gratuity.

The Deputy senate President gets N32, 000 per night as Duty Tour Allowance.
Senators receive $ 1 000 as estacode and a duty tour allowance of N23, 000 per night.

HOUSE OF REP.:

The Speaker receives a total annual salary of N 4,334,942.50.

Just like the Senate President, the federal government provides his vehicles and their maintenance . His domestic staff, entertainment, utilities, security responsibility, Legislative Aids, House Maintenance an, as well as a Special Adviser and a Personal Assistant are provided by the federal government.

Similarly Robe (clothing) and newspapers are provided for the Senate President.
He receives 75 per cent of his salary as constituency allowance.

The Deputy speaker whose annual salary stands at 4,002,309.94 enjoys similar benefits as the speaker.

The Majority Leader of the House, the Minority Leader, the Chief Whip and Chairmen of Committees receive annual salaries of N 6, 352,680.00. In addition, they receive 50 per cent of their salaries as Vehicle and Maintenance allowance; another 50 per cent for domestic staff; 10 per cent for utilities and another 10 per cent for House maintenance.

In addition, they collect 75 per cent for constituency allowance, 25 per cent for personal Assistant. Other members enjoy similar allowances.

The speaker receives $ 790 estacode per night and N32, 000 per night for domestic trips.

The Deputy Speaker receives $750 and N30, 000 for estacode and Duty Tour, respectively. Members receive $550 and N21 , 000 for estacode and domestic trips , respectively.

HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY
Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly enjoy all the benefits as their federal counterpart where virtually all they need are provided with public funds. However, their annual salaries stand at N 2,049,843.75 and a Constituency Allowance of N25 per cent of their Annual Salaries.

Deputy Speaker receives N 1,807,478.13 and 25 per cent of same as constituency allowance.

Members at the House of Assemblies receive annual salaries of N 2,473,866.25.

In addition, they receive 20 per cent for vehicles; 25 per cent for domestic staff, 10 per cent for utilities; 25 per cent each for robe, constituency , Personal Assistant and 5 per cent for newspapers.