Nigerian lawmakers reduce salaries over economic hardship

Members of the House of Representatives have decided to reduce their jumbo salaries by 50 percent for the next six months.

This is in response to the widespread economic challenges facing the country.

The decision was made during a plenary session on Thursday, following the approval of a motion of urgent public importance.

The motion, titled ‘An Appeal to the Proponents of Proposed Nationwide Protest to Maintain Peace, Eschew Violence and Open the Windows for Meaningful Engagements with Government at all Levels in Order to Address their Issues,’ was sponsored by Ibrahim Isiaka from Ogun State.

Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu proposed the amendment, saying that this cut is a sacrifice that the legislators should undertake for the next six months.

Kalu mentioned that lawmakers earn N500,000 monthly, but Speaker Tajudeen Abbas corrected him, clarifying that their monthly salary is actually  N600,000.

If the ₦600,000 salary is slashed by 50 percent, the lawmakers will now earn  N300,000 monthly plus other allowances.