U.S.A is far more prosperous than Nigeria so why on earth should our congressmen earn more than the United States President.

We are quick to compare U.S.A with Nigeria since we model our democractic system after theirs.

Our elected officials' pay is riduculous and laughable in the light of our present realities as a nation

Per Capita
U.S.A   = $ 46,381
Nigeria = $2,400

Minimum Wage
U.S.A   = $7.25 per hour (@ 8hrs/day and 20 days/month = $1,160)
Nigeria = N 18,000 per month (@N140/$ = $128.5 per month)

Congressmen's Remuneration
U.S.A   = $174,000 per annum
Nigeria = N 168,000,000 per annum (= $1,200,000)

The U.S president earns $400,000 per annum. Lower than what our congressmen earn in a half a year (and to think there are 360 of them). This figure excludes remuneration of our Senators who typically earn more than congressmen.

U.S.A's Per Capita income is almost 20 times Nigeria's
U.S.A's Minimum Wage is over 9 times Nigeria's
Why on earth should congressmen in a country ranked 141 in terms of income earn almost 7 times as much as their counterparts in the world's 4th richest country. What they earn is even 3 times higher than what the world's most powerful individual (the U.S President) earns.

Our elected representatives' pay should be a reflection of our minimum wage or better still our per capita. The U.S Congressman's pay is 12.5 times higher than the minimum wage so why shouldn't our representatives in the house earn (12.5 times N18,000) per month. N225,000 is a fair wage in light of our economic situation.

It shows our democracy is just a platform for self enrichment and not service.

The people who can change it are the people profiting from it. Its so sad.

This is a very serious matter.In a country where poverty is killing almost everyday,some pple chooses to sit on d nation 's wealth,they do everythng to favour themselves alone with out thinkng 2wice.Al i knw is that 1 day,our God wil interven.

Thanks dapsse for your very insightful post

And you wonder why Nigeria is going down the drain.

If we continue like this, elective (or selective) offices will be all to live and die for.

Its an insult on the Nigerian people. How can a country with close to 70% of its pouplation on less than $1 per day have politicians that were supposedly voted in by the people, earn that staggering amount.

N42million per quarter in a 4 year tenure amounts to N672 million for just one House of Rep member. Multiply that by 360 and in 4years the House of Rep would have bled Nigeria by N242 Billion Naira. Imagine how many roads, schools and hospitals that will build.

N.B: This is just what goes into the pocket of one of section of politicians. This excludes their operating costs and other allowances. If you add the cost of running the presidency, the senate, the states executive and their legistative arms of government, you begin to wonder what we are all working for.

Its a big shame and I agree totally with Afe Babalola that some political offices should not be full time jobs and these guys should be paid only sitting allowances. That is the sacrifice we need.

Our leaders of today!!!!!!!!!!!!

[size=38pt]But why does Government Earn So Much! Can someone please tell me why?[/size]

Rogues in Power!

True.


Anywayz, comparing Nigeria to USA is like comparing apple to candy.

FL Gators:

True.


Anywayz, comparing Nigeria to USA is like comparing apple to candy.

candy apples , they go hand in hand.

If the dull politicans make over $1.4 million then what do the successful ones make? double that? Who decides the salary of Nigerian senators? Is it the senators themselves? I personally think that another branch of the government should decide the wage of another, and in years when GDP declines the Senators get the decline+1% taken off of their paychecks. So if economy is down 2.4% senators' paychecks down 3.4%. When economy is up 6%, senators paycheck up 0.5% - 1%.