About N2.354 billion in pay cheques, comprising the monthly salaries of the 109 senators and the cost of running their offices, is enough to pay monthly wages of 4,708 professors at universities across Nigeria.
Debates have continued over the perceived imbalance in remunerations between political office holders and academics.
The disparity is highlighted by the fact that while a professor earns an average net pay of about N500,000 per month, a serving senator receives a staggering N21.6 million monthly.
Recently, social media has been awash with stories of academics like Professor Nasir Hassan-Wagini of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, who were seen engaging in side jobs to supplement their income.
Senator Kawu Sumaila disclosed that each senator receives about N21 million monthly for salary and office running costs.
However, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) had previously indicated the amount as approximately N1.06 million monthly.
Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, national president of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), noted that professors have seen minimal salary increments in recent years, making it difficult for them to sustain basic needs or replace vehicles.
He recalled that in the 1960s, professors were among the highest-paid public servants after prime ministers and judges, which motivated the production of high-quality graduates.
Today, stagnant salaries contribute to demotivation among academics, resulting in poor attendance and diminished mentorship to students.
Sunmonu warned that without urgent government intervention, Nigerian universities face decline as professors retire with no motivated replacements.
Prof. Balarabe Abdullahi of Ahmadu Bello University echoed these concerns, highlighting that many young Nigerians now aspire to political careers instead of academia due to higher pay and job stability, cautioning against an impending intellectual drought if reforms are not enacted.
