House of Representatives members actually earn N600,000 monthly, according to a clarification after a lawmaker displayed a salary of N936,979 on television.
Members of the House of Representatives earn N600,000 monthly, notwithstanding the display of an alert of N936,979.53 on national television by Uzokwe Ifeanyi, the lawmaker representing Nnewi South Federal Constituency, according to spokesman of the national assembly, Akin Rotimi.
Ifeanyi had revealed a salary notification of N936,979.53 for July while appearing on Channels Television last week, inadvertently stoking the long-running controversy about the real pay of legislators.
Offering clarifications in a statement he sent to FIJ on Wednesday, Rotimi said Ifeanyi was uninformed and unauthorized to disclose such information, explaining that Ifeanyi’s higher pay was due to special circumstances surrounding his late assumption of office.
“The actual monthly salary for honourable members is N600,000, after deductions for advances such as housing, which are paid at the commencement of the tenure,” Rotimi said.
“The honourable member who displayed his salary on a TV programme is an exceptional case, as he assumed office through a court decision many months after the on-boarding process was concluded.”
Rotimi maintained that Ifeanyi’s salary for the month of July was that high due to the addition of allowances he should have received had he not assumed his role late.
During a plenary session on July 18, 2024, the lower chamber had pledged to donate half of their monthly salaries for six months to help combat hunger in Nigeria. They stated that they earned N600,000 monthly, pledging to contribute N300,000 each — something they have not yet done.
However, Ifeanyi’s television revelation les to the conclusion that the lawmakers had understated their salary.
Despite Rotimi’s insistence, though, the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) lists lawmakers’ salaries at N794,086 monthly.
Rotimi also restated the chamber’s commitment to fulfilling its 50% donation promise, saying: “This delay in implementation was thus due to necessary administrative procedures and coordination with financial institutions.
“Instructions for adjusting salaries have since been issued and will be enforced moving forward to ensure our pledge is fully realized.”
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