Senator Sumaila Kawu, who represents Kano South, says he earns N21m a month, more than the N15m the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) says he gets. The RMAFC said each senator receives N1.06m in salary and monthly allowances.

In an interview with the British Broadcasting Hausa Service, Senator Kawu revealed that although his monthly salary is around N1m, his total take-home pay is significantly higher. He said the difference is down to various allowances and deductions.

This has caused a stir, as it goes against what the official figures say and makes people wonder how transparent lawmakers are about their earnings. The issue has been discussed, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently criticizing federal lawmakers for setting their salaries and benefits.