Yakubu Dogara Reveals Salary and Allowances During Tenure as Speaker
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honorable Yakubu Dogara, has disclosed the financial details of his tenure, revealing that he received a total allowance of 25 million naira alongside a monthly salary of 400,000 naira.
Dogara made these revelations during a public address, aiming to provide transparency and clarity on the financial benefits he received while serving as Speaker. He stated, “While I was Speaker, my salary was 400,000 naira and my total allowance was 25 million naira. I instructed my accountant to open a separate account for the allowances, and I never once took any money out of that account. Everything that came into that account was used to cater for the needs of my constituents.”
He further explained the challenges faced in managing these funds, noting, “My accountant complained about the level of demand on the account, and I told him if the money there is finished, borrow, and when money comes in, you return it to where you had taken the money from.”
Dogara emphasized the importance of understanding the financial responsibilities and pressures faced by legislators. “I am saying this so Nigerians will give their legislators breathing space and know that the narrative is not true about members’ pay,” he added.
This revelation by Dogara sheds light on the financial management practices of a top legislator and aims to counter the widespread perception of excessive earnings among Nigerian lawmakers. His statement underscores the significant demands placed on elected officials to support their constituents and the personal financial discipline required to manage public funds responsibly.
