A recent investigation has revealed that members of the Nigerian House of Representatives misled the public about their monthly salaries.
Contrary to their claim of earning N600,000, evidence shows that their actual monthly salary is significantly higher.
However, an investigation by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism has uncovered a web of deceit on the part of the lawmakers.
According to the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Commission, the actual monthly salary of a House of Representatives member is N794,086.
Additionally, a lawmaker’s salary notification revealed a monthly earnings of N936,979.53, according to Politics Nigeria.
Furthermore, lawmakers receive additional benefits, including accommodation, furniture, severance packages, medical allowances, recess allowances, and duty tour allowances, totaling approximately N5.9 million monthly.
They are also entitled to supplementary allowances of around N5.9 million and receive millions of naira as “running costs” without transparency on how these funds are utilized.
According to disclosures by several lawmakers, including former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, the monthly running cost stands at approximately N8.5 million.
Recall that the House of Representatives had pledged to donate half of their salaries to combat hunger in Nigeria, but it remains unclear if they have begun doing so.
If they were to donate 50% of their actual salaries, they would contribute a substantial amount monthly.
Furthermore, FIJ said on Channels Television interview with Uzokwe Ifeanyi, a lawmaker representing Nnewi South Federal Constituency, on Thursday revealed a screengrab of his July salary notification, exposing a monthly earnings of N936,979.53.
This means that if lawmakers were to donate 50% of their actual salaries, they would contribute a substantial N168.7 million monthly, totalling around N1 billion over six months.
The report also exposed that lawmakers earn more than a million Naira monthly, made possible by additional benefits including accommodation, furniture, severance packages, medical allowances, recess allowances, and duty tour allowances totalling approximately N5.9 million monthly.
