Official Salary Of Ministers In Nigeria: Average Pay Per Month

Ministers in Nigeria are appointed by the president to serve as heads of various ministries and oversee the implementation of government policies in their respective sectors. These positions come with significant responsibilities, ranging from policy formulation to supervision of projects and managing national issues. Along with these responsibilities, Nigerian ministers receive a compensation package that includes a basic salary, allowances, and other benefits.

The salary of ministers in Nigeria is determined by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the agency responsible for setting and reviewing the remuneration of public officers. The following sections will provide a breakdown of the official salary structure for Nigerian ministers and give an insight into the average pay they earn per month.

Basic Salary of Ministers in Nigeria

According to the RMAFC’s remuneration package, the official annual basic salary for a minister in Nigeria is ₦2,026,400. This figure may seem relatively modest for such high-ranking officials, but it is important to note that the basic salary is only a portion of their total monthly income.

Breaking down the basic salary on a monthly basis, a Nigerian minister earns approximately ₦168,867 per month in basic salary alone. However, this is just the starting point, as there are numerous allowances and benefits that significantly increase their total compensation.

Allowances and Benefits

In addition to their basic salary, Nigerian ministers receive several allowances that considerably boost their monthly income. These allowances are designed to cover the demands and high-profile nature of the job. The most common allowances include the following:

1. Hardship Allowance

Ministers in Nigeria are entitled to a hardship allowance, which is 50% of their basic salary. This allowance is intended to compensate for the stressful and demanding nature of their jobs. The monthly hardship allowance for a Nigerian minister amounts to ₦84,433.

2. Constituency Allowance

Like other public officials, ministers are also entitled to a constituency allowance. This allowance is calculated at 200% of their basic salary, which brings it to ₦337,734 per month. The constituency allowance is meant to support ministers in maintaining relationships with the people in their constituencies and the various stakeholders they engage with regularly.

3. Furniture Allowance

Nigerian ministers also receive a furniture allowance, which is 300% of their basic salary. However, this allowance is paid once every four years, amounting to ₦6,079,200. While this is a large sum, it is typically spread over the minister’s tenure.

4. Leave Allowance

In line with Nigerian labor laws, ministers are entitled to an annual leave allowance. This allowance is 10% of their annual basic salary, which equates to ₦202,640. This amount is typically paid once a year and adds to the total earnings a minister receives.

5. Vehicle Allowance

While ministers are provided with official vehicles during their tenure, they are also entitled to a vehicle maintenance allowance. This allowance is 75% of their annual basic salary, which amounts to ₦1,519,800 annually. This allowance is typically used for the upkeep of the minister’s official vehicles.

6. Medical Allowance

Ministers in Nigeria enjoy comprehensive medical coverage. Their medical expenses, as well as those of their immediate families, are fully covered by the government. While the exact figures are not disclosed, it is known that ministers have access to both local and international healthcare services as part of their benefits.

7. Accommodation

During their tenure, ministers are provided with government-owned residences or are given housing allowances to cover their accommodation. In Abuja, where most ministers reside, housing can be quite expensive, and the government ensures that ministers are housed in fully furnished residences befitting their status.

8. Duty Tour Allowance

Whenever a minister travels on official duty within or outside the country, they receive a duty tour allowance. This allowance covers travel expenses, accommodation, and daily stipends during the trip. The exact amount depends on the duration and location of the trip but can be a substantial addition to their overall compensation.

Total Monthly Earnings

When you add up the basic salary and all the various allowances, the total monthly earnings of a Nigerian minister can easily exceed ₦1 million. While the basic salary of ₦168,867 seems modest, the allowances, particularly the constituency and hardship allowances, boost the monthly take-home pay significantly.

Here is an estimated breakdown of a Nigerian minister’s monthly earnings based on available figures:

• Basic Salary: ₦168,867
• Hardship Allowance: ₦84,433
• Constituency Allowance: ₦337,734
• Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (monthly breakdown): ₦126,650
• Furniture Allowance (monthly breakdown): ₦506,600

This gives an estimated total of ₦1,224,284 per month, excluding other benefits like medical coverage, housing, and duty tour allowances.

Comparison with Other Public Officers

When compared to other public officers in Nigeria, the salary of ministers falls within the upper mid-tier range. For instance:

• Senators earn a basic salary of ₦2,026,400 per annum, similar to ministers, but their allowances (including constituency allowance and hardship allowance) can take their monthly earnings to over ₦1.5 million.
• Governors, on the other hand, earn a basic salary of ₦2.22 million per year, with additional allowances that can push their earnings to between ₦10 million and ₦50 million per month, depending on their state’s resources and security vote.

Post-Tenure Benefits for Ministers

Just like governors and other high-ranking public officials, Nigerian ministers are entitled to severance pay at the end of their tenure. This severance gratuity is calculated as 300% of their basic salary, which amounts to ₦6,079,200. This one-time payment is made to ministers after they leave office.

In addition to severance pay, former ministers often continue to enjoy certain privileges, such as security details, access to government facilities, and sometimes even pensions, depending on the laws of the specific government they served.

Criticisms and Calls for Reform

The salaries and allowances of Nigerian public officials, including ministers, have often been a subject of public scrutiny. Many Nigerians argue that the high compensation packages are unjustifiable, particularly in a country where many citizens live in poverty and the minimum wage stands at just ₦30,000 per month. The disparity between the earnings of public officials and the average Nigerian worker has led to calls for salary cuts and a review of the remuneration system.

Another point of contention is the lack of transparency in how allowances, particularly constituency and duty tour allowances, are allocated and spent. Critics argue that these allowances are often misused, with little accountability on how the funds are deployed.

Conclusion

The official salary of ministers in Nigeria, as set by the RMAFC, is ₦168,867 per month in basic salary. However, when allowances such as constituency, hardship, and vehicle maintenance are added, their total monthly earnings can exceed ₦1 million. Ministers also enjoy several other benefits, including medical coverage, housing, and post-office severance pay, which further boost their overall compensation.

While the high salaries of ministers reflect the significant responsibilities they carry, the debate around the fairness and equity of public officials' remuneration continues to be a major issue in Nigeria. Many believe that a review of the salary structure is necessary to align it with the economic realities faced by the average Nigerian citizen.