Tinubu Signs Bill to Increase Judicial Officers' Salaries into Law

President Bola Tinubu has signed into law a bill that substantially increases the salaries and allowances of judicial officers. This landmark legislation is seen as a testament to Tinubu's commitment to enhancing the welfare of the nation's workforce, particularly those in strategic roles.

The new law introduces a revised salary structure for various tiers of the judiciary. The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) will now earn an annual salary of N64 million, while the President of the Court of Appeal will receive N62.4 million per year. Justices of the Supreme Court are set to earn N61.4 million annually. These adjustments reflect a broader effort to ensure fair remuneration within Nigeria's public sector.

"This extraordinary move underscores Mr. President’s absolute prioritisation of the welfare of Nigerian workers above all else," stated Basheer Lado, Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters. "By prioritising the financial wellbeing 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."

The bill received overwhelming support from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Senate President Godswill Akpabio declared the bill passed following majority support from senators, who expressed their decision through voice votes. The Red Chamber passed the bill after deliberation on a report from its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, chaired by Tahir Monguno.

"This landmark decision reflects Mr. President’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," added Lado.

The federal government has urged judicial officers to redouble their efforts to ensure that justice is served speedily, emphasizing that this salary increase is part of a broader strategy to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the judiciary.

In addition to the CJN and the President of the Court of Appeal, the new salary structure includes significant increases for other high-ranking judicial officers. For instance, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the President of the National Industrial Court and other similar positions will now earn N42.3 million annually in regular allowances.

This legislative action follows President Tinubu's earlier initiatives to enhance worker welfare, including the recent approval of a new National Minimum Wage Bill of N70,000. The new Act also amends the provisions of the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.), Act, No.6, 2002, to delete outdated provisions relating to Judicial Office Holders.