N705m Donation: Lawmakers’ Attempt to Mask Their Extravagance?

Nigerians are calling out the latest act of “philanthropy” by federal lawmakers, dismissing their N705 million donation to the poor as a publicity stunt aimed at masking their extravagant lifestyles and questionable earnings.

In mid-March, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abass Tajudeen, presented a cheque to President Bola Tinubu, claiming it was a six-month 50% salary deduction from lawmakers to support vulnerable Nigerians. However, this gesture has sparked outrage rather than praise, with many calling it a mere token from a legislature swimming in opulence.

Nigeria’s ‘Richest Lawmakers’ Face Scrutiny

The donation, which lawmakers likely expected to be met with applause, was instead met with indifference and criticism. Many Nigerians pointed out that while the lawmakers boast about sacrificing part of their salaries, they conveniently ignored their colossal allowances—ten times their basic salaries—which remain untouched.

According to The Economist, Nigerian lawmakers are among the highest-paid in the world. In the 2024 budget, 358 House members received N2.84 billion in salaries but a staggering N21.04 billion in allowances. Senators earned even more, with N868.3 million in salaries and a jaw-dropping N7.72 billion in allowances.

Amidst these figures, the lawmakers’ donation is seen as a mere drop in the ocean, doing little to alleviate Nigeria’s deepening economic crisis.

A Country in Economic Turmoil, Leaders in Luxury

With a national debt of N142 trillion and a 2025 budget deficit of N13.39 trillion, Nigeria is in dire straits. Debt servicing alone will cost N16.3 trillion, yet lawmakers continue to enjoy extravagant benefits while the national minimum wage stands at a meager N70,000 ($40) per month.

Comparisons with other countries paint an even starker picture. While Nigeria, with a population of 233 million, struggles with a $36.4 billion budget, smaller nations like South Africa ($141.4 billion), Egypt ($91 billion), and even crisis-ridden Ghana ($19 billion) have significantly larger budgets. Critics argue that Nigeria’s financial struggles are exacerbated by a bloated government and unchecked corrupted

Crumbs for the Poor, Feasts for the Elite

For many Nigerians, the House of Representatives’ donation is nothing more than an attempt to whitewash their extravagant lifestyles. While citizens grapple with unemployment, inflation, and insecurity, lawmakers continue to indulge in luxury, creating an economic divide that grows wider by the day.

Instead of one-off, self-serving donations, critics say lawmakers should slash their outrageous earnings, enforce stricter anti-corruption laws, and craft policies that attract investment to rescue the nation from economic collapse.

As Nigeria sinks deeper into a poverty crisis—with over 140 million citizens classified as multidimensionally poor—the question remains: will lawmakers ever sacrifice their comfort for the country’s future, or will they continue throwing crumbs to the masses while hoarding the nation’s wealth?