National Assembly’s N344.85bn Allocation Could Fund Over 27 Federal Universities Budgets

National Assembly’s N344.85bn Allocation Could Fund Over 27 Federal Universities Budgets

While millions of Nigerians battling economic hardships, their 469-member National Assembly indulged in a staggering N344.85 billion spending spree for 2024.

Data obtained by BusinessDay showed that the lawmakers’ 2024 budget is higher than 20 states’ individual expenditures for the same year, leaving Nigerians questioning the priorities and extravagance of their elected representatives.

The National Assembly’s N344.85 billion allocation can fund the combined budget of more than 27 federal universities.

Some of the universities include the University of Lagos with an allocation of N19.4 billion, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (N17.02 billion), University of Ilorin (N14.3 billion), University of Abuja (N12.09 billion), University of Port Harcourt (N19.58 billion), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) (N9.3 billion), Maddibo Adama University N8.billion, Federal University Oye (N7.7 billion), Federal University, Dutse (N8.3 billion), Alex Ekwueme University (N9.5 billion), University of Lafia (N6.8 billion), and University of Dutsin-Ma (N8.3 billion).

Others are Federal University, Kashere (N6.5 billion), University of Lokoja (N6.2 billion), University of Wukari (N9.6 billion), University of Birnin Kebbi (N4.78 billion), University of Gashua (N5.2 billion), University of Gusau (N6.7 billion), Maritime University Okerenkoko (N3,4 billion), Army University, Biu (N3.4 billion), Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (N2.3 billion), University of Babura (N2.2 billion), Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi (N2.4 billion), Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (N1.8 billion), Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun (N10.4 billion), Federal University Katsina (N2.1 billion).

Every senator gets N21 million monthly as running cost – Sumaila

Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, a senator representing Kano South, recently revealed that every senator gets N21 million monthly as running cost.

The senator revealed this in an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday, stating that his monthly salary is below a million naira.

“My monthly salary is less than 1 million. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over N600,000,” Senator Sumaila said.

“Given the increase effected, in the Senate, each Senator gets N21 million every month as running cost,” he said.

Sumaila’s revelation contradicted the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the body responsible for fixing salaries of public officials, which recently stated that a Nigerian senator goes home with N1,063,860 ($672) each month.

RMAFC is being economical with the truth, Sani

Shehu Sani, former senator representing Kaduna Central, reiterated his claim that federal lawmakers earn more than what is officially stated by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

Speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday, Sani emphasised that since lawmakers serve the public, it is only right for the public to know their true earnings, accusing RMAFC of being “economical with the truth.”

“Before I came to this interview I was going through the papers and I saw a statement credited to one of the senators from Kano, distinguished senator Kawu Ismaila, who confirmed what I said about senators particularly of this set receiving up to N21 million monthly.

“During my time, I was in the senate and I was pricked by my conscience as an activist who went to the Senate to unveil what has been made secret for over two decades,” Sani said.

“I believe that taxpayers and Nigerians in general have the right to know how much their legislators are earning and how much they have actually been given. I went on as a serving Senator then to disclose what I do receive monthly, what is credited into my account at that time and it was 13.5 million,” he added.

Nigeria’s bicameral legislature, comprising the 360-member House of Representatives and the 109-seat Senate, has long been a target for criticism over its seemingly insatiable appetite for funds.

In 2010, the then-Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi raised eyebrows by claiming the National Assembly gulped down 25% of the national budget.

BusinessDay had earlier reported how the legislative arms spent N280 billion in 2023 while millions of Nigerians struggle under tight state budgets. The National Assembly 2023 budget was more than 19 states’ individual budgets.

President Bola Tinubu, in the Supplementary Appropriation Bill in July 2023, allocated N70 billion to help the lawmakers settle in.

This ballooning budget has fueled calls for a drastic overhaul, with many advocating for a single, leaner legislative body.

However, the National Assembly has continuously defended its spending, citing the need to maintain its legislative functions and support its numerous administrative staff and aides.