The salary structure of Nigerian senators has been a contentious issue, with public debates fueled by varying reports and lack of transparency. Based on the most reliable and recent information, primarily from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and other credible sources, here is a detailed breakdown of Nigerian senators’ earnings as of 2024, with context to address discrepancies and public concerns.

Official Salary and Allowances (RMAFC Figures)

According to the RMAFC, the body responsible for setting salaries for public officeholders in Nigeria, each of the 109 senators in the Nigerian Senate receives a monthly salary and allowances totaling ₦1,063,860 (approximately $650 USD at an exchange rate of ₦1,645/USD as of June 2025). This figure includes:

Basic Salary: ₦168,866.70
Motor Vehicle Fuelling and Maintenance Allowance: ₦126,650.00
Personal Assistant Allowance: ₦42,216.66
Domestic Staff Allowance: ₦126,650.00
Entertainment Allowance: ₦50,660.00
Utilities Allowance: ₦50,660.00
Newspapers/Periodicals Allowance: ₦25,330.00
Wardrobe Allowance: ₦42,216.66
House Maintenance Allowance: ₦8,443.33
Constituency Allowance: ₦422,166.66

Non-Regular Allowances (paid once per tenure or as a loan):

Furniture Allowance: ₦6,079,200 (paid once every four years)
Severance Gratuity: ₦6,079,200 (paid at the end of the tenure)
Vehicle Allowance: ₦8,105,600 (optional loan, repayable before leaving office)

Key Notes:

Regular allowances are paid monthly alongside the basic salary, while non-regular allowances are disbursed as needed (e.g., furniture and severance at specific intervals).
The RMAFC emphasizes that these are the official figures, and any additional allowances or payments outside this structure are not under their control.

Running Costs: The Controversial Component

A significant point of contention is the running cost or operational allowance, which is not included in the RMAFC’s official salary breakdown. These funds are meant to cover office operations, staff salaries, travel, and constituency projects. Reports on running costs vary widely:

Senator Shehu Sani (2018): Claimed senators received ₦13.5 million monthly as running costs in addition to the ₦750,000 salary prescribed at the time. This sparked public outrage, as it suggested a total monthly package of ₦14.25 million (approximately $39,583 at 2018 exchange rates).
Senator Kawu Sumaila (2024): Disclosed that each senator receives about ₦21 million monthly as running costs, with a personal salary of less than ₦1 million (around ₦600,000 after deductions). This suggests a total monthly package of approximately ₦22 million per senator.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan (2021): Clarified that the running cost is a quarterly allowance of ₦13 million (equating to ₦52 million annually), not monthly, contradicting earlier claims.
RMAFC Clarification: The commission stated it has no control over running costs, which are managed by the National Assembly Service Commission. This lack of oversight contributes to public suspicion about transparency.

Total Earnings Estimates

Official Annual Salary (RMAFC): The monthly salary and allowances of ₦1,063,860 translate to ₦12.72 million annually per senator. For 109 senators, this amounts to approximately ₦1.4 billion annually.
With Running Costs (Disputed):
- If the running cost is ₦21 million monthly (as per Senator Sumaila), the total monthly package per senator is around ₦22 million, or ₦264 million annually. For 109 senators, this equates to over ₦28.7 billion annually.
- If the running cost is ₦13 million quarterly (as per Lawan), the annual running cost is ₦52 million, bringing the total annual package to approximately ₦64.72 million per senator, or ₦7.05 billion for all senators.
Historical Claims: Some sources, like Professor Itse Sagay in 2017, claimed senators earned up to ₦29 million monthly (₦348 million annually), though these figures were disputed and not corroborated by RMAFC.

Comparison with Other Countries

United States: A U.S. senator earns $174,000 annually (₦286 million at current exchange rates), with allowances for staff and office expenses averaging $3.3 million annually (strictly regulated).
Nigeria vs. U.S. Revenue Share: In 2017, a Nigerian senator’s earnings (including running costs) were 0.002% of Nigeria’s revenue, compared to a U.S. senator’s 0.000005% of U.S. revenue, highlighting the disproportionate burden on Nigeria’s economy.
Other Countries (2015 Data): Nigerian senators’ annual earnings (₦56.6 million, excluding running costs) were lower than those in the Philippines ($4.5 million) and the U.S. ($3.4 million) but higher than Kenya ($968,013), Australia ($646,230), and Tanzania ($230,961).

Public Criticism and Context

Economic Disparity: With Nigeria’s minimum wage at ₦70,000 (as of 2024), a senator’s monthly running cost alone (₦21 million, if accurate) could pay the minimum wage for approximately 300 workers. This disparity fuels public anger, especially given Nigeria’s multidimensional poverty affecting 133 million people.
Lack of Transparency: The RMAFC and Senate have repeatedly denied that senators set their own salaries, asserting compliance with constitutional provisions. However, the opacity surrounding running costs and their management by the National Assembly Service Commission raises suspicions of abuse.
Calls for Reform: Civil society organizations like SERAP and CHRICED have called for reduced governance costs, arguing that funds allocated to senators could be better spent on public services like healthcare and education.
Obasanjo’s Critique: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo accused senators of setting their own salaries and receiving unentitled allowances (e.g., ₦200 million each), calling it “immoral.” The Senate refuted this, insisting they adhere to RMAFC guidelines.

Special Cases: Principal Officers

Senate President and Deputy Senate President: These officers receive double salaries for their leadership roles. The Senate President earns ₦724,570.72 monthly (₦8.69 million annually), and the Deputy Senate President earns ₦673,507 monthly (₦8.08 million annually), in addition to the standard senator’s salary of ₦1,063,860 monthly.
Running Costs for Principal Officers: These may differ, but specific figures are not publicly disclosed.

Discrepancies and Misinformation

Social Media Claims: Posts on X have claimed senators earn ₦2.48 million monthly as basic salary, with allowances like hardship (₦1.24 million) and constituency (₦4.97 million). These figures are inaccurate; RMAFC confirms the basic salary is ₦168,866.70, and only the Senate President earns ₦2.48 million monthly.
Historical Inaccuracies: Claims like senators earning $2.18 million annually (₦2.48 million monthly plus allowances) have been debunked. The actual basic salary is far lower, and even with running costs, annual earnings are closer to $40,000–$160,000, depending on the running cost figure used.

Conclusion

The official monthly salary and allowances for Nigerian senators, as per RMAFC, total ₦1,063,860, with non-regular allowances like furniture and vehicle loans paid periodically. However, running costs, which range from ₦13 million quarterly to ₦21 million monthly based on conflicting reports, significantly inflate total earnings, potentially reaching ₦22 million monthly per senator. The lack of transparency around running costs and their oversight by the National Assembly Service Commission remains a major issue, contributing to public distrust. For the most accurate details, refer to the RMAFC website (www.rmafc.gov.ng).

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The salary structure of Nigerian senators (2025 Full Details)