Lawmakers should be paid per sitting, not monthly salaries — Ndume

Lawmakers should be paid per sitting, not monthly salaries — Ndume

Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has renewed his call for sweeping reforms to Nigeria’s legislative system, proposing that the National Assembly should operate on a part-time basis, with lawmakers receiving payments only when they attend plenary sessions and committee meetings.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV on Friday, the former Senate Chief Whip argued that the current full-time structure of the legislature contributes significantly to the country’s high cost of governance and should be reviewed in line with Nigeria’s economic realities.

According to Ndume, members of the National Assembly do not function like regular civil servants who report to work every day. Instead, he said their official duties are largely centred on legislative sittings, committee engagements, oversight functions and constituency responsibilities, making a full-time arrangement unnecessary.

“To me, I said it, what are we doing? We have been on recess for several times. Let us be paid by sitting. If you sit, you get paid. If you are not sitting, you are not paid,” the senator said.

He added that Nigeria could significantly reduce public spending by adopting a part-time legislature similar to those practised in some democracies where lawmakers maintain professional careers while carrying out legislative duties.

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“And to me, we can even make the National Assembly work part time,” Ndume stated.

Ndume maintained that his proposal is part of broader efforts to reduce Nigeria’s rising cost of governance, which has remained a major concern amid economic hardship, rising inflation and dwindling public revenues.

He argued that political office should be driven by service rather than financial gain, insisting that lawmakers should earn sitting allowances instead of fixed monthly salaries.

According to him, funds saved from running a part-time legislature could be redirected to critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and security.

Ndume has consistently advocated measures aimed at reducing government expenditure and has, on several occasions, urged political office holders to make sacrifices in the interest of national development.

Beyond his proposal for legislative reform, Ndume also expressed reservations over the manner in which the Senate handled discussions on the proposed State Police Bill.

While acknowledging that creating state police could strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, he warned against making far-reaching constitutional amendments without extensive consultations and careful legislative scrutiny.

The senator stressed that major national policies should not be passed simply because they enjoy executive backing, noting that lawmakers have a constitutional responsibility to thoroughly examine every proposal before approving it.

“Senate is a committee of elders. You just don’t come one day, sit down because the President wants state police, you just pass it overnight.

“You are supposed to sit down, deliberate on it and get the input. We have passed the bill. Has the state police taken off today?” he queried.

According to Ndume, sensitive issues such as state policing require broad engagement with stakeholders, security experts and the Nigerian public to ensure that any constitutional amendment serves the country’s long-term interests.

Ndume’s latest remarks are consistent with his long-standing campaign for reforms within the National Assembly.

Over the years, the Borno lawmaker has repeatedly argued that Nigeria’s legislature is too expensive to maintain and has called for measures that would make it more efficient, transparent and accountable.

His latest proposal is expected to spark fresh debate over lawmakers’ salaries, allowances and the overall structure of the National Assembly, especially at a time when Nigerians continue to demand prudent management of public resources.

Political analysts believe discussions on reducing the cost of governance are likely to gain renewed momentum as the country seeks sustainable ways to address its economic challenges while improving public confidence in democratic institutions.

Lawmakers should be paid per sitting, not monthly salaries — Ndume