President Bola Tinubu has signed into law a bill that provides a 300 percent salary increase for judicial workers at both the federal and state levels. This development was confirmed on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, by Senator Basheer Lado, the President’s Special Adviser on Senate Matters.
The new law, formally titled “A Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries, Allowances and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Office Holders in Nigeria and for Related Matters,” marks a major shift in the compensation structure for judicial officers in the country.
The National Assembly had previously passed the bill in June after reviewing the President’s proposal aimed at improving the financial and overall welfare of the judiciary.
Senator Lado emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating, “This extraordinary move underscores Mr. President’s absolute prioritization of the welfare of Nigerian workers above all else.” He added that the law is a reflection of President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that those in critical roles, such as the judiciary, receive compensation that matches their responsibilities.
With the enactment of this bill, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will now receive an annual salary of ₦64 million. The President of the Court of Appeal will earn ₦62.4 million annually, while each Justice of the Supreme Court will receive ₦61.4 million. Other heads of courts, including the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, will receive ₦7.9 million annually.