By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Abuja
Amobi Nzelu Esq, the Principal Partner, Amobi Nzelu & Co has written a letter to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, expressing concern over the National Assembly’s (NASS) budget for 2025. Nzelu criticized the lawmakers’ salaries and allowances, calling them “overpriced” and a “reap in the national treasury.”
Nzelu’s letter however highlighted the disparity between the lawmakers’ earnings and the value they bring to the nation. He noted that a senator takes home approximately N21 million per month, which he believes is excessive. Nzelu argued that if the lawmakers’ salaries were reduced, the saved funds could be used to create employment opportunities for graduates.
Using simple arithmetic, Nzelu demonstrated how the reduction of salaries and allowances could provide employment for thousands of graduates. For instance, he calculated that if a senator’s salary were reduced by N16 million, it could provide employment for 106 graduates at N150,000 per month.
While suggesting several reforms to the NASS, including: part-time legislature. Through this, the lawmakers’ take-home pay will be reduced to N3 million and N2 million for senators and House of Representatives members, respectively. Another reform is introduction of sitting allowances, by limiting it to N200,000, N150,000, or N100,000 per sitting. The rest is trimming down the number of senators representing each state to two, and limit the number of House of Representatives members to between five and eight. State Houses of Assembly, according to him shouldn’t have more than 12 members.
Nzelu emphasized the need for reform, stating that the National Assembly’s current structure is “overcrowded” and “ineffective.” He urged President Tinubu to take action, citing the need to make the legislature less attractive to “looters” and more appealing to those who genuinely serve the people.
