“An investigation reveals Nigerian Lawmakers have misled the public about their salaries, with actual figures significantly higher than previously claimed.”
A recent investigation by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) has revealed significant discrepancies between the actual salaries of Nigerian House of Representatives members and the amounts they publicly claimed. The revelations suggest a substantial divergence from their earlier pledges to donate part of their earnings for humanitarian causes.
Claims vs. Reality
During a plenary session on July 18, members of the House of Representatives publicly stated that their monthly salaries were N600,000. They committed to donating 50% of this amount—equating to N300,000 each—to combat hunger in Nigeria. However, an investigation has uncovered that this claim was misleading.
Actual Salary Figures
According to evidence obtained from the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Commission (RMFAC), the official monthly salary of a House of Representatives member is N794,086. This figure is significantly higher than the N600,000 previously claimed.
Further complicating matters, a recent interview with lawmaker Uzokwe Ifeanyi, representing Nnewi South Federal Constituency, revealed his July salary notification, which showed a monthly salary of N936,979.53.
Potential Impact of Accurate Donations
If lawmakers were to donate 50% of their actual salaries, they would contribute approximately N168.7 million monthly. Over a period of six months, this would total around N1 billion—far exceeding the initially pledged N300,000 per member.
Additional Benefits and Allowances
Beyond their base salaries, members of the House of Representatives receive several additional benefits and allowances. These include:
- Accommodation: Provisioned by the government.
- Furniture Allowance: Offered for office and home furniture.
- Severance Packages: Compensation upon leaving office.
- Medical Allowances: Coverage for health-related expenses.
- Recess Allowances: Funding for breaks and recess periods.
- Duty Tour Allowances: For official travel.
Collectively, these benefits amount to approximately N5.9 million monthly. Furthermore, there are supplementary allowances on a “to-be-processed” basis, as well as “running costs” reported to be around N8.5 million monthly, though details on the utilization of these funds remain opaque.
Lack of Transparency and Follow-Through
Despite the initial pledge to donate part of their salaries to fight hunger, the House of Representatives has yet to confirm whether such donations have commenced. This lack of transparency and follow-through raises questions about the commitment and accountability of the lawmakers.
The discrepancies between the claimed and actual salaries of House of Representatives members highlight serious issues of transparency and accountability. The findings underscore the need for clearer communication and more rigorous oversight of public officials’ financial dealings. The public and relevant authorities should demand transparency and ensure that pledges made for humanitarian causes are fulfilled as promised.
