The House of Representatives has announced plans to present a sum of ₦704.91 million to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting vulnerable Nigerians impacted by economic challenges following the removal of the petrol subsidy. The initiative stems from a July 18 resolution by the House to voluntarily reduce their salaries by 50% for six months to alleviate hardships faced by ordinary citizens.

Addressing lawmakers during Thursday’s plenary, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas expressed satisfaction with the progress made, stating, “Approximately five months ago, we resolved to contribute half of our salaries to address the pressing needs of Nigerians. I am pleased to report that we have raised ₦704,907,578.82 to date. On December 31, I will lead a delegation to present this amount to the president for the exclusive benefit of the most vulnerable citizens.”

The Speaker commended members for their commitment and highlighted how their contributions reflect a collective dedication to addressing the nation’s critical needs. This gesture was initially proposed by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu during a plenary session in July as part of efforts to mitigate hunger and reduce the grievances that fueled protests against perceived poor governance.

In advocating for the motion, Kalu acknowledged the challenges facing the administration, emphasizing the importance of collective sacrifice. “This government is making efforts, but one year is insufficient to resolve the country’s longstanding issues. I appeal to my colleagues to relinquish 50% of our monthly ₦600,000 salary for six months to support Nigerians in need,” he said.

This initiative underscores the House’s recognition of the dire economic situation and its willingness to play an active role in providing relief.