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Nigeria's House Of Reps Salary: Average Pay Per Month
Nigeria’s House of Representatives, one of the two chambers of the National Assembly, is often a subject of discussion due to the large sums its members earn. The earnings of lawmakers in the green chamber have long attracted public scrutiny, especially because they are seen as high relative to the average income of most Nigerians. But what exactly does a member of the House of Representatives take home each month?
Monthly Basic Salary
The monthly basic salary of a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives is approximately ₦794,000. This figure includes only the basic pay, excluding several other financial perks such as allowances and bonuses. Over the course of a year, this basic salary amounts to about ₦9.5 million.
Allowances
Apart from the basic salary, the members also receive a host of allowances that significantly increase their total earnings. These allowances cover expenses related to accommodation, utilities, transportation, and more. Each member of the House of Representatives receives an additional ₦8 million quarterly for "office running costs." This quarterly allowance is separate from their regular monthly salary and is allocated to cover various operational needs, such as office supplies, travel, and professional services.
This office running cost, which translates to roughly ₦2 million per month, is often the focus of public criticism, as it inflates the representatives' overall compensation to a significant degree. While the basic salary may seem modest by international standards, these allowances make a substantial difference in their overall take-home pay.
Total Monthly Earnings
When all components are considered, including basic salary and allowances, each member of the House of Representatives earns an estimated ₦10 million to ₦12 million per month. This figure combines the basic salary, office running costs, and various other perks that legislators enjoy. It’s important to note that these figures do not account for any bonuses or additional perks that might be provided for specific duties.
Comparisons with Other Legislators
For context, members of the Nigerian Senate, the upper chamber of the National Assembly, earn slightly more than their counterparts in the House of Representatives. Senators earn around ₦1.5 million in basic monthly salary and an additional ₦13 million quarterly for office running costs. This means that while there is a gap in the earnings of senators and representatives, it is not as wide when allowances are factored in.
Why the Controversy?
The high earnings of Nigerian lawmakers, including those in the House of Representatives, have sparked widespread debate in the country. Critics argue that the high salary and allowances are unjustified, especially in a country where the majority of citizens live on less than ₦1,000 a day. Many believe that the funds allocated to lawmakers could be better spent on critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Despite these criticisms, lawmakers justify their earnings by pointing to the various costs associated with running their offices and fulfilling their legislative duties. They argue that their allowances cover expenses that are necessary for effectively representing their constituents, such as travel costs, medical services, and office supplies.
Breakdown of Allowances
To understand the full scope of a House of Representatives member's earnings, it is useful to look at the various allowances that contribute to their high total pay. These include:
- Vehicle Maintenance and Transport: Representatives are given allowances to maintain their vehicles and cover transportation costs. This is particularly important given the vast distances many lawmakers must travel to meet with constituents in different parts of the country.
- Accommodation: Lawmakers also receive an accommodation allowance, which is meant to cover the cost of living in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, where they must reside for the duration of their legislative duties.
- Furniture and Office Maintenance: Maintaining a functional office requires significant resources, and representatives are given allowances to cover the cost of office supplies, furniture, and other necessities.
- Sitting Allowances: In addition to the above, lawmakers receive a sitting allowance for attending sessions of the House of Representatives. This is meant to compensate them for the time spent carrying out their legislative responsibilities.
- Duty Tour Allowance: When lawmakers travel domestically or internationally on official duties, they are entitled to a duty tour allowance, which covers travel expenses and accommodation during these trips
Conclusion
In total, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives earns between ₦10 million and ₦12 million per month when both salary and allowances are included. This figure far exceeds the average income in Nigeria and has led to significant public criticism. However, lawmakers argue that the allowances they receive are necessary to perform their legislative duties effectively.
The debate over lawmakers' salaries is unlikely to go away anytime soon, particularly as the country continues to face economic challenges. Many Nigerians are calling for reforms to the way lawmakers are compensated, with some advocating for a reduction in salaries and allowances to better reflect the economic realities of the country.
In the meantime, the high earnings of Nigeria’s lawmakers remain a point of contention, and any future efforts to address public concerns will need to carefully balance the need for fair compensation with the broader goal of improving the country's economic well-being.
