On Tuesday, efforts to strengthen the nation’s judiciary were consolidated when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed into law a bill seeking to increase the salaries and allowances of judges in the country by 300 percent. This comes at the twilight of the tenure of Justice Kayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who retires on
On Tuesday, efforts to strengthen the nation’s judiciary were consolidated when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed into law a bill seeking to increase the salaries and allowances of judges in the country by 300 percent. This comes at the twilight of the tenure of Justice Kayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who retires on August 22.
In June, the Senate passed the judicial office holders’ salaries and allowances bill, which will allow the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to earn N64 million annually.
In a statement on Tuesday, Mr. Basheer Lado, Special Adviser (SA) to the President on Senate Matters, said President Tinubu’s bill signing marks his “unwavering commitment” to the welfare of Nigeria’s workforce.
His words: “This extraordinary move underscores Mr President’s absolute prioritization of the welfare of Nigerian workers above all else just like he did when he recently put on hold an ongoing Federal Executive Council meeting to assent to the new National Minimum Wage Bill of N70,000.”
“In a demonstration of his visionary leadership and deep compassion for the Nigerian people, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCON has once again affirmed his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the nation’s workforce by assenting to the revised Salaries and Allowances for Judicial Office Holders”, he said.
According to him, the landmark decision reflected President Tinubu’s profound dedication to ensuring that every salary earner in Nigeria, especially those serving in vital and strategic roles, receives the recognition and compensation they deserve.
“By prioritizing the financial well-being of our judicial officers, Mr. President is not only reinforcing the integrity of our justice system but also setting a new standard for leadership that truly values the hard work and sacrifices of all Nigerian workers”, he stressed, adding: “Under President Tinubu’s administration, the welfare of our workers has become a central pillar of national progress.
He said President Tinubu’s visionary policies continue to uplift the lives of millions, ensuring that the dignity of labour is upheld and that those who serve our nation are justly rewarded.
According to him, the assent is a clear testament to Mr. President’s tireless efforts to build a more prosperous and equitable Nigeria, where every worker is empowered to contribute to the nation’s greatness.
He said the President remains steadfast in his mission to champion initiatives that deliver fair compensation, improved working conditions, and a brighter future for all Nigerians, stressing that: “the judiciary remains the hope of the common man, and it is hoped that Nigerians seeking justice get it irrespective of their status in life,” he added.
The Senate on 5 June 2024 passed a bill seeking to increase the salaries and allowances of judges at all levels. The upper legislative chamber passed the bill for the third reading after Senator Mohammed Monguno, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, presented a report.
While presenting his report, Monguno said the increment of judges’ salaries and allowances was long overdue, noting that their pay packages have not been reviewed for years. “Apart from the new salary and allowance scheme, the bill will also make provision for the retirement of judicial officers,” he said.
The Senator representing Borno said the new pay packages would ensure justice and fairness in the country’s judicial processes. Thereafter, the Senate approved clauses of the bill in the “committee of the whole” and passed the legislation.
The House of Representatives also passed the Bill which paved the way for the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to earn N64 million annually. The new salaries and allowances represent a 300 percent increase from the current earnings of the judicial officers.
The president of the court of appeal will be entitled to N62.4 million, and justices of the Supreme Court will earn N61.4 million.
All heads of the various courts, such as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the President of the National Industrial Court, and the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, among others, would earn the same basic salary of N7.9 million annually.
