Bamidele Reveals Who Really Determines Lawmakers’ Salaries In Nigeria

He made the clarification while reacting to a recent Federal High Court judgment in Lagos which declared aspects of the National Assembly’s spending on vehicles and allowances unlawful.

The court had faulted the expenditure of ₦40 billion on 465 official vehicles for lawmakers and another ₦70 billion allocated as support allowances for newly elected legislators, ruling that the payments did not comply with procurement laws, constitutional provisions, and public finance standards.

It further directed Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to ensure strict adherence to due process in future procurement and spending.

Responding to the ruling, Bamidele insisted that lawmakers are not involved in determining their pay structure, explaining that such responsibilities lie with the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

He said the misconception that legislators set their own salaries persists due to a lack of public understanding of how the system works.

According to him, the determination of remuneration is solely handled by the commission, not the lawmakers themselves.

Bamidele also defended the provision of official vehicles and other allowances, noting that they are meant to support legislative duties such as constituency engagement and oversight functions, rather than personal enrichment.

He called for greater transparency in the remuneration process for public officials, arguing that this would help address public mistrust and improve understanding of government spending.

“Legislators do not determine their own remunerations. Salaries and allowances are fixed by RMAFC,” he said.