The salaries and allowances of Nigeria’s House of Representatives members have been a topic of public debate due to their perceived high earnings compared to the average Nigerian income. Below is a detailed breakdown of their remuneration structure, based on available data from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and other credible sources, including web reports and posts on X. I’ll provide a complete breakdown, address discrepancies, and summarize the findings. Note that some figures vary across sources due to differences in reporting periods, deductions, or unofficial claims, and I’ll highlight these where relevant.

Complete Breakdown of House of Representatives Salary and Allowances

The remuneration package for members of the House of Representatives is regulated by the RMAFC, which sets salaries and allowances for public office holders. The structure includes a basic salary and various allowances, categorized as regular (paid monthly with salary) and non-regular (paid once per tenure or as loans). Below is the most recent and comprehensive breakdown available, primarily based on RMAFC data and corroborated by sources like Pulse Nigeria, TheCable, and Legit.ng.

1. Basic Salary

Monthly Basic Salary: ₦600,000 (after deductions for advances like housing, as clarified by House spokesperson Akin Rotimi in August 2024).
Annual Basic Salary: ₦7,200,000.
Note: Earlier reports (e.g., 2019–2020) cited a basic salary of ₦794,086.83/month (₦9,529,038.06/year), but recent clarifications suggest ₦600,000/month is the net salary after deductions.

2. Regular Allowances (Paid Monthly)

These are paid alongside the basic salary to cover operational costs. The following figures are based on RMAFC data and reports from 2013–2024, adjusted for consistency where possible:

Motor Vehicle Fueling and Maintenance: ₦126,650/month.
Personal Assistant Allowance: ₦42,216.66/month.
Domestic Staff Allowance: ₦1,488,000/year (₦124,000/month).
Entertainment Allowance: ₦198,521/year (₦16,543/month).
Utilities Allowance: ₦397,042/year (₦33,087/month).
Newspaper/Periodicals Allowance: ₦297,781/year (₦24,815/month).
House Maintenance Allowance: ₦99,260/year (₦8,272/month).
Wardrobe Allowance: ₦397,042/year (₦33,087/month).
Constituency Allowance: ₦1,687,000/year (₦140,583/month).
Recess Allowance: ₦198,521/year (₦16,543/month).
Hardship Allowance: 50% of basic salary, ~₦300,000/month (based on ₦600,000 basic salary, estimated at ₦1,000,000/year).

Estimated Total Regular Allowances: ~₦865,596/month (based on annualized figures divided by 12, plus hardship allowance).

Total Monthly Take-Home (Salary + Regular Allowances):

₦600,000 (basic) + ₦865,596 (allowances) = ₦1,465,596/month.
Annual Total: ₦17,587,152.

3. Non-Regular Allowances (Paid Once per Tenure or as Loans)

These are disbursed at specific intervals, typically once every four years or as optional loans:

Accommodation Allowance: 200% of annual basic salary, ~₦14,400,000 (paid once per tenure or annually in some cases).
Furniture Allowance: 300% of annual basic salary, ~₦21,600,000 (paid once per tenure).
Vehicle Allowance/Loan: ₦8,105,600 (optional, repayable before end of tenure).
Severance Gratuity: 300% of annual basic salary, ~₦21,600,000 (paid at end of tenure).
Leave Allowance: 10% of annual basic salary, ~₦720,000 (paid annually).

Note: Non-regular allowances are not included in monthly take-home but significantly boost total earnings over a four-year term. For example, accommodation, furniture, and severance gratuities alone total ₦57,600,000 per tenure.

4. Other Allowances (Variable or Not Publicly Specified)

Duty Tour Allowance (DTA): Covers official travel (e.g., ₦21,000/day for domestic trips, $550/day for international trips). Exact amounts vary by frequency of travel.
Estacode Allowance: For international travel, paid in USD (e.g., $550/day for Representatives).
Running Cost/Office Maintenance: Controversial and often cited as a major component. Sources report:
- ₦8.5 million/month (Simon Karu, 2020).
- ₦9 million/month average, including all allowances (Akin Alabi, 2022).
- These figures likely include constituency project funds or office running costs, which lawmakers claim are used for constituent demands (e.g., community projects, personal assistance).
Constituency Project Funds: Lawmakers nominate projects, but funds are executed by agencies, not paid directly. Estimates vary, but allocations can exceed ₦100 million/year per lawmaker, though not part of personal salary.

5. Speaker and Deputy Speaker Salaries

Speaker:
- Basic Salary: ₦412,851.66/month (₦4,954,220/year).
- Additional Salary (for leadership role): ₦794,086.83/month (as a House member).
- Total Monthly: ~₦1,206,938.49 (excluding allowances).
- Allowances: Higher than regular members (e.g., accommodation at 200% of ₦4,954,220 = ₦9,908,440/year).
Deputy Speaker:
- Basic Salary: ₦381,172.40/month (₦4,574,068.80/year).
- Additional Salary: ₦794,086.83/month.
- Total Monthly: ~₦1,175,259.23 (excluding allowances).

Total Earnings Estimate

Monthly Take-Home (Regular Members):
- Basic Salary + Regular Allowances: ~₦1,465,596/month.
- With Running Cost: If the ₦8.5 million/month running cost is included (as claimed by Karu), total monthly earnings could reach ₦9–10 million/month.
Annual Take-Home:
- Without running cost: ~₦17,587,152/year.
- With running cost: ~₦108–120 million/year (based on ₦9–10 million/month).
Four-Year Tenure (Including Non-Regular Allowances):
- Regular earnings: ₦17,587,152 × 4 = ₦70,348,608.
- Non-regular allowances: ₦57,600,000 (accommodation, furniture, severance, etc.).
- Vehicle loan (optional): ₦8,105,600.
- Total: ~₦136–160 million (excluding running cost) or ~₦432–480 million (if ₦9–10 million/month is accurate).

Discrepancies and Controversies

Running Cost Claims:
- Lawmakers like Simon Karu (2020) and Akin Alabi (2022) claim monthly earnings of ₦9–9.3 million, including ₦8.5 million for office running costs.
- RMAFC disputes this, stating total monthly earnings are ₦1,063,860 (closer to Senate figures).
- The running cost is contentious, as lawmakers claim it covers constituent demands (e.g., school fees, weddings), but critics argue it lacks transparency.
Public Perception:
- Nigerians often perceive lawmakers as overpaid, especially given the national minimum wage of ₦30,000/month (until recent hikes to ₦70,000).
- X posts claim House members earn ₦13.5 million/month (2024), but these are unverified and likely include running costs.
Salary Reduction Pledge:
- In July 2024, the House committed to a 50% salary reduction for six months to address economic hardship, reducing the ₦600,000 basic salary to ₦300,000/month. Implementation status is unclear.
Comparison to Senators:
- Senators reportedly earn ₦1,063,860/month (RMAFC) or up to ₦21 million/month (including running costs, per X posts). House members earn slightly less, but the gap is minimal.
Global Comparison:
- Nigerian lawmakers are among the highest-paid globally, with salaries 116 times GDP per capita (vs. 2.7 for UK MPs).
- At 2018 exchange rates, House members earned ~$480,000/year (including allowances), far exceeding U.S. counterparts ($174,000).

Contextual Notes

RMAFC’s Role: The RMAFC is constitutionally responsible for setting salaries, but lawmakers have been accused of bypassing this by fixing their own allowances. Former President Obasanjo criticized this in 2024, calling it unconstitutional.
Housing: Unlike in the past, most lawmakers (except leaders like the Speaker) no longer receive housing allowances, as accommodation is provided in Abuja.
Constituency Demands: Lawmakers argue that running costs are spent on constituents’ needs (e.g., infrastructure, personal aid), but lack of accountability fuels criticism.
Budget Allocation: The 2024 budget allocates ₦24.43 billion for House salaries and allowances (360 members), implying ~₦67.86 million/year per member, supporting higher estimates.
Economic Context: With over 40% of Nigerians below the poverty line and a cost-of-living crisis (monthly expenses ~₦196,126 for a single person), public outrage over lawmakers’ pay persists.

Recommendations for Further Details

Access RMAFC Data: Visit www.rmafc.gov.ng for official remuneration packages, as urged by the commission to counter misinformation.
Check Job Platforms: Platforms like MyJobMag or Jobzilla may occasionally post legislative aide roles, offering indirect salary insights.
Monitor X and Media: Follow credible accounts (e.g., @SERAPNigeria) for updates on salary debates or leaks.
Contact House PR: Reach out to the House spokesperson (e.g., via @HouseNGR) for clarifications on current salaries post-reduction.

Summary

Members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives earn a basic salary of ₦600,000/month (₦7,200,000/year) after deductions, with regular allowances adding ~₦865,596/month, for a monthly take-home of ~₦1,465,596 (₦17,587,152/year). Non-regular allowances (e.g., accommodation, furniture, severance) add ~₦57,600,000 over a four-year tenure. However, controversial running costs (₦8.5–9 million/month, per lawmakers’ claims) could push monthly earnings to ₦9–10 million (₦108–120 million/year), though RMAFC disputes this. The Speaker earns ~₦1,206,938/month (excluding allowances), with higher non-regular benefits. Total earnings over four years range from ₦136–160 million (RMAFC-based) to ₦432–480 million (if running costs are included). Public criticism persists due to the disparity with Nigeria’s minimum wage (₦70,000/month) and economic challenges. The House pledged a 50% salary cut in 2024, but implementation is unconfirmed. For precise data, consult RMAFC’s website or follow credible media.

Nigeria House of Representatives Salary Breakdown (2025)

Basic Salary

Monthly: ₦600,000 (after deductions for advances like housing).
Annual: ₦7,200,000.

Regular Allowances (Monthly)

Motor Vehicle Fueling and Maintenance: ₦126,650
Personal Assistant: ₦42,216.66
Domestic Staff: ₦124,000
Entertainment: ₦16,543
Utilities: ₦33,087
Newspaper/Periodicals: ₦24,815
House Maintenance: ₦8,272
Wardrobe: ₦33,087
Constituency: ₦140,583
Recess: ₦16,543
Hardship: ₦300,000 (50% of basic salary)
Total Regular Allowances: ~₦865,596/month

Total Monthly Take-Home

Basic Salary + Regular Allowances: ₦1,465,596
Annual: ₦17,587,152
With Running Cost (Disputed): ₦9–10 million/month (₦108–120 million/year)

Non-Regular Allowances (Per Tenure)

Accommodation: ₦14,400,000 (200% of annual basic salary, once per tenure)
Furniture: ₦21,600,000 (300% of annual basic salary, once per tenure)
Vehicle Loan: ₦8,105,600 (optional, repayable)
Severance Gratuity: ₦21,600,000 (300% of annual basic salary, end of tenure)
Leave Allowance: ₦720,000 (10% of annual basic salary, annually)
Total Non-Regular: ~₦57,600,000 (over 4 years)

Other Allowances (Variable)

Duty Tour Allowance: ₦21,000/day (domestic), $550/day (international)
Estacode: $550/day (international travel)
Running Cost: ₦8.5–9 million/month (claimed by lawmakers, disputed by RMAFC)
Constituency Project Funds: Not paid directly, but allocated for projects (~₦100 million/year)

Speaker and Deputy Speaker

Speaker:
- Basic Salary: ₦412,851.66/month (₦4,954,220/year)
- Additional Salary: ₦794,086.83/month
- Total Monthly: ~₦1,206,938.49 (excluding allowances)
Deputy Speaker:
- Basic Salary: ₦381,172.40/month (₦4,574,068.80/year)
- Additional Salary: ₦794,086.83/month
- Total Monthly: ~₦1,175,259.23 (excluding allowances)

Total Earnings (4-Year Tenure)

Without Running Cost: ₦136–160 million
With Running Cost: ₦432–480 million

Notes

Data sourced from RMAFC, Pulse Nigeria, TheCable, Legit.ng, and X posts.
Running costs are controversial, with RMAFC claiming total monthly earnings are closer to ₦1,063,860.
50% salary reduction pledged in July 2024; implementation unclear.
Public criticism due to disparity with minimum wage (₦70,000/month) and economic hardship.

House of Representatives Salary and Allowances (2025 Details)