The scandal led to further allegations that some senators received ₦500 million for constituency projects.
While the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) determines the salaries and allowances of all public office holders in Nigeria, senators have access to other benefits, including constituency funds, not officially covered by the agency.
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Senators have argued in the past they have no direct access to the funds and instead use them to award contracts for projects in their constituencies, but the process has been repeatedly called out for being rife with fraud.
Nigerian senators are considered some of the highest paid lawmakers across the world, but this is only possible when you consider all the perks they have access to that are secret from the public and not under the oversight of the RMAFC.
How much Nigerian senators officially earn that we know
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| Salary/Allowances | Annual Value | Monthly Value |
|---|---|---|
| Basic salary | ₦2,026,400 | ₦168,866.70 |
| Motor Vehicle fuelling and maintenance | ₦1,519,800 | ₦126,650 |
| Personal Assistant | ₦506,600 | ₦42,216.66 |
| Domestic staff | ₦1,519,800 | ₦126,650 |
| Entertainment | ₦607,920 | ₦50,660 |
| Utilities | ₦607,920 | ₦50,660 |
| Newspapers/Periodicals | ₦303,960 | ₦25,330 |
| Wardrobe | ₦506,600 | ₦42,216.66 |
| House Mainatenance | ₦101,320 | ₦8,443.33 |
| Constituency | ₦5,066,000 | ₦422,166.66 |
| Total | ₦12,766,320 | ₦1,063,860.01 |
It doesn't end there.
| Other Allowances | Annual Value |
|---|---|
| Accomodation | ₦4,052,800 |
| Furniture | ₦6,079,200 |
| Duty tour allowance | ₦37,000 (per night) |
| Estacode | $950 (per night) |
| Recess | ₦202,640 |
| Severance gratuity | ₦6,079,200 (after successful completion of tenure) |
| Motor vehicle loan (optional) | ₦8,105,600 (to be repaid before expiration of tenure) |
The RMAFC last reviewed the remuneration package in 2007 and the agency's attempt to increase the package by 114% last year was cancelled following a public outcry.
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