“I Stayed in a Hotel for Six Months Before Finding Housing; My Salary Was N840,000” – Solomon Dalung

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has shed light on the modest compensation and limited benefits associated with ministerial roles during President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.In a candid interview with News Central TV, Dalung described the austere conditions that characterized his time in office, noting the constraints on staffing allowances and basic living conditions.

He explained that ministers were only allowed to hire two staff members—one special assistant and one personal assistant—emphasizing the minimal support provided.Dalung also recounted his personal struggles with housing, stating, I spent six months living in a hotel before finally securing a place to stay.

He shared specifics about his salary package, revealing that “my salary was N840,000, which included everything like vehicle allowance, housing, and domestic staff.”This disclosure, which amounts to about $2,200 a month covering all benefits, highlights the financial limitations faced by ministers during that time.

Dalung’s comments come at a time when there is increased public scrutiny regarding government spending and official perks in Nigeria. His insights serve as a reference point for evaluating different governmental approaches to public service compensation and resource management.

The former minister’s remarks contribute to ongoing conversations about fiscal responsibility in government and the changing landscape of ministerial benefits in Nigeria, especially as new administrations set their own policies on official entitlements and expenditures.