The salary of local government councillors in Nigeria is a topic marked by limited transparency, varying reports, and significant public debate due to economic disparities and governance costs. The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) is the constitutional body responsible for determining salaries and allowances for public officeholders, including councillors. Below is a detailed breakdown of councillors’ salaries in Nigeria as of 2025, based on available data from credible sources, including RMAFC, court rulings, news reports, and other public records, with clarifications on discrepancies and contextual factors.
Official Salary and Allowances (RMAFC and Related Sources)
According to data from the RMAFC and other sources like MySalaryScale, the salary structure for councillors varies by state and local government, but a general framework exists for elected councillors and supervisory councillors. Here’s the breakdown:
Elected Councillors
- Annual Salary and Allowances: Approximately ₦2,400,000/year (₦200,000/month).
- Basic Salary: ₦669,105/year (₦55,759/month).
- Allowances:
- Domestic Allowance: ₦501,828/year (₦41,819/month).
- Personal Assistant Allowance: ₦167,276/year (₦13,940/month).
- Entertainment Allowance: ₦301,097/year (₦25,091/month).
- Utility Allowance: ₦200,731/year (₦16,727/month).
- Wardrobe Allowance: ₦167,276/year (₦13,940/month).
- Other Allowances: May include constituency, vehicle maintenance, and leave allowances, though specific figures vary.
- Source: MySalaryScale (2017 data, likely outdated but aligns with RMAFC framework).
Supervisory Councillors
- Annual Salary and Allowances: Approximately ₦1,860,000/year (₦155,000/month).
- Basic Salary: ₦557,427/year (₦46,452/month).
- Domestic Allowance: ₦418,070/year (₦34,839/month).
- Other Allowances: Include personal assistant, entertainment, utility, and wardrobe allowances, similar to elected councillors but at lower rates.
- Source: MySalaryScale.
Non-Regular Allowances
- Furniture Allowance: Paid once per tenure, e.g., ₦2,427,900 for a supervisory councillor (as in the case of Hon. Emeka Mbonu).
- Severance Gratuity: Paid at the end of tenure, e.g., ₦2,427,900 for a supervisory councillor.
- Vehicle Allowance: Often provided as an optional loan, repayable before leaving office.
- Source: National Industrial Court ruling for Etche Local Government.
Variations by State
Salaries and allowances for councillors differ across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) due to state-specific policies and financial capacities. Here are specific examples:
- Ogun State (2017):
- Councillors: ₦201,216/month after deductions (Pay As You Earn tax applied).
- Leader of the Legislative Council: ₦215,000/month.
- Deputy Leader/Majority Leader: ₦205,000/month.
- Chief Whip: ₦204,200/month.
- Minority Leader: ₦203,145/month.
- Source: Ogun State Amended Local Government Emolument Bill 2017.
- Oyo State (2022):
- Councillors: ₦350,000/month after an upward review ordered by Governor Seyi Makinde.
- Source: Nairaland report.
- Ekiti State (2022):
- Councillors: Approximately ₦100,000/month after deductions, considered low by elected officials.
- Source: The Source Nigeria.
- Kogi State (2021):
- Councillors: Statutory salary of ₦250,000/month plus ₦80,000 sitting allowance (₦10,000 per sitting, 8 sittings/month), totaling ₦330,000/month. However, former Senator Dino Melaye alleged councillors under Governor Yahaya Bello were paid only ₦140,000/month without sitting allowances.
- Source: Daily Post Nigeria.
- Lagos State:
- Limited data exists, but Lagos, being a wealthier state, likely offers higher salaries, potentially aligning with Oyo’s ₦350,000/month for councillors in urban LGAs.
Total Earnings Estimates
- Basic Range: ₦100,000–₦350,000/month, depending on state, deductions, and allowances.
- With Allowances: Councillors may earn ₦200,000–₦400,000/month, including sitting allowances (₦10,000–₦20,000 per sitting, typically 4–8 sittings/month).
- Annual Total: ₦2,400,000–₦4,800,000/year, with non-regular allowances like furniture or severance adding ₦2–₦5 million per tenure.
- Example Case: Hon. Emeka Mbonu, a former supervisory councillor in Etche LGA, was awarded ₦4,855,800 for severance and furniture allowances by the National Industrial Court, indicating significant non-regular payments.
Contextual Factors and Controversies
- Economic Disparity:
- Councillors’ earnings, even at the lower end (₦100,000/month), far exceed Nigeria’s minimum wage of ₦70,000/month (₦840,000/year) as of 2024. This gap fuels public criticism, especially when compared to professions like university lecturers (e.g., Lecturer II earns ₦150,000–₦175,000/month).
- A Lagos ASUU coordinator noted that councillors, some with only a secondary school certificate, earn more than professors, highlighting perceived inequities.
- Lack of Transparency:
- The RMAFC sets official salaries, but additional allowances like sitting allowances or constituency funds are managed by local government councils, leading to discrepancies.
- Allegations of underpayment (e.g., Kogi State) or non-payment of statutory allowances suggest mismanagement or political interference.
- Public Criticism:
- Civil society groups like SERAP have called for downward reviews of public officials’ remuneration, including councillors, arguing that governance costs burden Nigeria’s economy.
- Posts on X, such as by @fimiletoks, claim councillors earn up to ₦350,000/month (₦250,000 salary + ₦100,000 sitting allowance), comparable to consultants or professors, sparking outrage.
- Legal Disputes:
- A Supreme Court ruling (Charles Nwokedi v. Anambra State Government, 2022) clarified that councillors’ salaries cannot be charged to a state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, as they are not explicitly included in the 1999 Constitution’s definition of “political office holders” under Section 32(d). This limits RMAFC’s authority to standardize councillor pay.
- The National Industrial Court ordered Etche LGA to pay ₦4.8 million in severance and furniture allowances, indicating that councillors are entitled to significant non-regular payments.
Comparison with Other Roles
- Local Government Chairmen: Earn ₦1,026,327/year basic salary (₦85,527/month) plus allowances, totaling ₦3,000,000–₦5,000,000/year.
- Senators: Official salary of ₦1,063,860/month, but with running costs, total earnings can reach ₦22 million/month.
- Cybersecurity Analysts: Entry-level salaries range from ₦100,000–₦248,075/month, comparable to lower-end councillor salaries but requiring higher qualifications.
- Professors: Earn ₦400,000–₦500,000/month, often less than councillors with sitting allowances, despite requiring advanced degrees.
Additional Notes
- Qualifications: Councillors require a minimum of a West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) or equivalent, making the role accessible but often criticized for high pay relative to qualifications.
- Role: Councillors are elected to represent wards in LGAs, making laws, overseeing budgets, and facilitating community development. Their legislative role is akin to state or federal lawmakers but at a local level.
- Deductions: Salaries are subject to Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax and other deductions, reducing take-home pay (e.g., Ekiti councillors earn ₦100,000/month post-deductions).
- State Autonomy: Local government autonomy, supported by figures like Senate President Ahmad Lawan, could standardize salaries, but state control over LGA funds often leads to variations.
Conclusion
Councillors in Nigeria earn a basic salary of approximately ₦55,759–₦85,000/month, with total monthly earnings ranging from ₦100,000–₦400,000 when including allowances like domestic, entertainment, and sitting allowances. Annual earnings are typically ₦2,400,000–₦4,800,000, with non-regular allowances (e.g., furniture, severance) adding significant sums per tenure. Salaries vary by state, with Oyo offering up to ₦350,000/month and Ekiti as low as ₦100,000/month after deductions. Public criticism centers on high pay relative to qualifications and economic hardship, with calls for reform by groups like SERAP. For the most accurate data, refer to the RMAFC website (www.rmafc.gov.ng) or state-specific legislation.