Nigerian lawmakers took a significant step to address the country’s economic struggle by accepting to take a 50% salary cut for the next 6 months.
During a recent plenary session led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas today, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a motion to reduce their salaries by half for the next six months.
The proposal, championed by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, recommends that each member contribute half of their N600,000 monthly salary.
This initiative builds on earlier calls from Rep. Isiaka Ayokunle, who urged for dialogue and collaboration instead of nationwide protests.
Deputy Speaker Kalu emphasized that the salary reduction is intended to support the government’s efforts in tackling rising food costs and mitigating hunger across the country. He underscored the importance of collective action during these challenging times, highlighting the need for shared sacrifice to ease the financial burden on Nigerians.
This move by the House of Representatives sends a powerful message of solidarity with the Nigerian people facing economic hardship. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact other initiatives by the government to fight the current economic hardship.