On Wednesday, the Senate passed a bill proposing a significant increase in the salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits of judicial officers in Nigeria. This legislative move follows the adoption of the report from the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, presented by its chairman, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North).
The bill, which had earlier passed the House of Representatives, will, upon presidential assent, grant the Chief Justice of Nigeria an annual salary of N64 million. The President of the Court of Appeal will be entitled to N62.4 million, while each Justice of the Supreme Court will earn N61.4 million annually. Additionally, heads of various courts, such as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, and the President of the National Industrial Court, among others, will receive a basic annual salary of N7.9 million.
Senator Monguno informed his colleagues that stakeholders at the public hearing unanimously supported the bill’s passage. “The proposed legislation is apt and timely as the increase in remuneration of judicial office holders is long overdue in light of the present economic realities and high inflation in the country,” he stated.
He further highlighted that the bill is “quite innovative” as it not only increases the basic salary but also addresses certain peculiarities of the judiciary’s administrative structure and operational mechanisms. “Generally, the bill, if passed, will birth an appropriate and commensurate remuneration that will ensure judicial independence and integrity,” Monguno added.
He emphasized that adequate remuneration would allow judicial officers to focus on their professional development without financial worries, thereby improving their professionalism and decision-making skills. “Fair compensation for judicial officers is crucial for maintaining public trust in the judiciary’s impartiality and integrity,” he noted, adding that the proposed increment has been included in the 2024 Appropriation Act.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and the Nigerian Bar Association have all recently voiced their support for the salary increase. These endorsements were given on May 20 during the Senate’s public hearing on “A Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries, Allowances, and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Officeholders in Nigeria and Related Matters Bill, 2024,” organized by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters.
The judicial salary review comes after a long-standing call for an update, with the last review occurring 17 years ago. The implementation of this bill is seen as a necessary step to uphold the judiciary’s integrity and independence in Nigeria.
