Judicial officers in Nigeria have received a significant salary boost following the signing of the Judicial Office Holders Salaries and Allowances Bill into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The new legislation, which was signed yesterday, increases the remuneration of judicial officers by 300 per cent.
Under the new law, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) will now earn N64 million annually, which equates to a monthly package of N5.39 million. The President of the Court of Appeal will earn N62.4 million annually, or N4.48 million per month, while Justices of the Supreme Court are set to take home N61.4 million annually, with a monthly salary of N4.21 million.
The Senate passed the Bill on June 5, following its earlier passage by the House of Representatives on March 20. The law also adjusts the salaries for other judicial officers, including the Justices of the Court of Appeal, who will now earn N3.73 million per month.
Furthermore, the Chief Judges of the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, FCT High Court, as well as other key judicial positions, including Grand Khadis and Presidents of State Customary Courts of Appeal, will receive a monthly package of N3.53 million.
Senator Basheer Lado, the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, praised the signing of the Bill, describing it as an extraordinary move that underscores the President's commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers. He noted that this decision aligns with Tinubu's recent actions, including the assent to the new National Minimum Wage Bill of N70,000.
Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), also welcomed the development. In a statement by his spokesman, Kamardeen Ogundele, the AGF highlighted that this raise addresses the long-standing issue of stagnant salaries for judicial officers, who have not seen an increase in nearly two decades. He emphasized that this reform is a crucial step in ensuring a justice system that serves the interests of all Nigerians.
Fagbemi added that President Tinubu's commitment to the sustainable reform of the administration of justice is clearly reflected in this landmark decision, marking a significant milestone in the enhancement of conditions of service for judicial officers across the country.
