Former Nigerian senator Ishaku Elisha Abbo has confirmed the substantial earnings of members of the Nigerian Senate, sparking further debate on the cost of governance in the country.
In a recent interview with Arise TV, Abbo, who represented Adamawa North Senatorial District, disclosed that while serving as a senator, he earned ₦14.4 million monthly. However, current senators are reportedly earning ₦29 million per month.
Despite the significant figures, Abbo argued that the remuneration is not as excessive as it seems due to the numerous financial responsibilities senators face, including paying hospital bills and providing scholarships.
“₦29 million looks big on paper, just on paper. I am saying this as a very honest man,” Abbo explained. “When I was in the Senate, my monthly salary and allowances put together was about ₦14.4 million. The money allocated to my office was not enough considering the demands, the challenges.”
Abbo also highlighted the stark contrast between senators’ earnings and those of state governors, claiming that some governors take home between ₦700 million and ₦1 billion monthly, further emphasizing the disparities in the earnings of public officials in Nigeria.
