House of Representatives Fails to Implement 50% Pay Cut, Cites Bureaucratic Delays

The members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives have not yet implemented their resolution to slash their salaries by 50 per cent for six months, blaming bureaucratic hurdles for the delay.

The federal lawmakers made the resolution on July 18, expecting the reduction to reflect in their July salaries. However, the House of Representatives’ spokesman, Rotimi Akin, attributed the delay to bureaucratic processes.

“The House of Representatives remains committed to the resolution passed on July 18, which mandates a 50 per cent reduction in the salaries of honourable members for the period from July to December 2024. We acknowledge and regret that this resolution was not implemented by the bureaucracy as intended for the month of July,” Akin stated.

The lawmakers had pledged the pay cut while discussing a motion aimed at preventing a nationwide hunger protest, which began on August 1. The motion, sponsored by Ibrahim Isiaka of Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, Ogun State, appealed to protest organizers to maintain peace and engage meaningfully with the government.

During the plenary session, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas presided as Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu amended the motion, urging colleagues to sacrifice 50 per cent of their salaries to support government intervention efforts.

“This government is doing its best, but one year is not enough to address the challenges of this country. I want to plead with our colleagues to sacrifice 50 per cent for a period of six months. Our salary is N600,000 a month. I want to plead that we let go of 50 per cent of our salary for six months. With each member paying N300,000 into a common purse, the legislative chamber will be contributing N108m monthly to the Federal Government and N648m for six months,” Kalu said.

The proposition was unanimously welcomed and confirmed as a resolution. However, when contacted, Akin admitted that lawmakers received their full July salaries.

“This delay was due to necessary administrative procedures and coordination with financial institutions. Instructions for adjusting salaries have now been issued and will be enforced moving forward to ensure our pledge is fully realised. We appreciate your patience and assure you of our steadfast adherence to this pledge,” he said.

Despite the government’s pleas, the nationwide hunger protest began last Thursday, turning violent in the North, where youths vandalized and looted public property. This led several northern states to declare a curfew, with the military warning against any attempts to destabilize the government.