In response to Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges, the House of Representatives has announced a 50% salary cut for its members over the next six months. This decision, affecting only their basic salaries and not their allowances, aims to support government efforts to address food scarcity and high living costs.
The initiative followed a motion presented by Ibrahim Isiaka (APC, Ogun) during Thursday’s plenary session. Isiaka’s motion emphasized the importance of peaceful and constructive engagement with the government rather than resorting to nationwide protests.
“The issues we face are not unique to Nigeria; they are global challenges. We must adopt a peaceful and constructive approach to resolve our national issues,” Isiaka stated. He urged Nigerians to give the government time to implement policies aimed at improving living conditions.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu supported the motion, highlighting the need for collective sacrifice. “This government is doing its best, but one year is not enough to address all challenges. I urge my colleagues to sacrifice 50% of our salaries for six months,” Kalu said. He emphasized that protesting is not a solution and called for patience.
Other lawmakers echoed these sentiments, stressing that the current hardships are a result of long-standing issues that cannot be resolved overnight. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) pointed out that while Nigeria faces economic difficulties, the cost of living remains lower than in many African countries. He appealed to the youth to give the government the benefit of the doubt and allow time for policy implementations to take effect.
The motion was subsequently adopted, and the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, confirmed that the salary cut would affect the N600,000 monthly salaries of the lawmakers. In addition to the salary reduction, the House pledged N100 million from their salaries to support Nigeria’s Olympic team for the Paris Games.
Calls for Patience and Dialogue
The resolution also included an appeal to the proponents of the proposed nationwide protest. Isiaka urged for patience, dialogue, and collaboration, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and respecting democratic principles. “We trust that through peaceful engagement and dialogue, we can collectively work towards a better future for Nigeria,” he said.
Contributing to the debate, Hon Usman Basiru (Sokoto- APC) warned that protests could undermine national unity and peace. He urged the youth to understand the broader context of the current economic situation and to exercise patience.
Government Initiatives to Address Hardship
The government has implemented several measures to alleviate the economic crisis, including introducing a student loan scheme. President Tinubu has also launched initiatives to reduce food prices and improve living conditions. Lawmakers stressed the need for continued support and collaboration among all levels of government to overcome the challenges.
In a related development, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago announced the release of 50,000 metric tonnes of grains at subsidized prices to help ease the food crisis. He urged the youth to avoid protests and engage in dialogue instead.
Conclusion
The House of Representatives’ decision to take a salary cut and their calls for patience and dialogue reflect a collective effort to peacefully navigate Nigeria’s economic challenges. Lawmakers emphasize that constructive engagement and collaboration are crucial to building a stable and prosperous future for the nation.
