The Nigerian Senate has approved a bill granting a 300% salary increase for judicial officers at both federal and state levels. This decision follows the presentation and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC- Borno North).
The approval is based on an executive bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, aiming to enhance the salaries, allowances, and other fringe benefits for judicial officers and workers. The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries, Allowances and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Office Holders in Nigeria and for Related Matters,” outlines significant salary increments for various judicial positions.
Under the new bill, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) will receive a total monthly package of ₦5,385,047.26. Justices of the Supreme Court will earn ₦4,213,192.54 monthly, while the President of the Court of Appeal will receive ₦4,478,415.78.
Other judicial officers’ new monthly packages include:
- Justices of the Court of Appeal: ₦3,726,665.40
- Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, President of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Grand Khadi of the FCT Sharia Court of Appeal, President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the State High Court, Grand Khadi of the State Sharia Court of Appeal, and President of the State Customary Court of Appeal: ₦3,527,022.61
This substantial pay raise aims to address the long-standing issues of inadequate compensation within the judiciary and ensure that judicial officers are remunerated commensurately with their critical role in the justice system.
