Serving Senators Earn ₦21m Monthly, I Got ₦13m During My Time — Shehu Sani

In the midst of the ongoing debate surrounding the monthly earnings of federal lawmakers, Senator Shehu Sani has consistently stated that he received N13 million as a member of the 8th Senate, while current members of the 10th Senate receive N21 million monthly.

The former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate recently made a revelation that aligns with the stance of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). According to the RMAFC, Senators earn N1 million each.

Sani, on Wednesday, strongly asserted that the RMAFC is not being entirely truthful.

“I was a senator, and I have a strong understanding of the events that occurred during that period, and I see parallels with the current situation,” he stated. Nevertheless, the RMAFC appeared to be manipulating the figures. They clearly stated that the amount was a senator’s salary, but then proceeded to break it down into N20 million, claiming that this was the average salary for a senator over a four-year term.

However, it seems that they may not be completely forthcoming, and I can empathise with their concerns about revealing the truth in light of the situation at hand.

During my preparation for this interview, I came across a statement made by a Senator from Kano, Distinguished Senator Kawu Ismaila. He confirmed the point I made about Senators, especially those in this group, receiving a monthly amount of up to N21 million.

Throughout my time in the Senate, I felt a strong moral obligation to disclose a secret that had been concealed for far too long.

“It is important for taxpayers and Nigerians to have transparency regarding the earnings and payments of their legislators.” As a serving senator, I voluntarily disclosed my monthly income, which totalled 13.5 million at the time.

The former lawmaker expressed his belief in transparency and honesty, stating that there is no need to mislead the Nigerian people or hide any information.

He emphasised the importance of legislators publicly expressing their opinions, given that they are funded by the public.