Nigeria Senate Passes Bill to Increase Judicial Pay: CJN to Earn N64 Million Annually

The Senate passed a bill to increase the salaries of Nigerian judicial officers. If approved, the Chief Justice of Nigeria would earn N64 million annually. President Tinubu advocated for the bill, emphasizing its importance in enhancing the judiciary's welfare and independence.

The Nigerian Senate has passed a significant bill aiming to bolster the salaries, allowances, and benefits of judicial officers across the country. This move, announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, received widespread support through voice votes, marking a pivotal moment for the Nigerian judiciary.

Championed by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, chaired by Tahir Monguno, the bill's passage follows careful consideration of its implications. If President Bola Tinubu assents to it, a substantial overhaul awaits the remuneration structure of judicial officers.

Under the proposed changes, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) would see a substantial increase, with an annual salary reaching N64 million. Similarly, the President of the Court of Appeal would earn N62.4 million annually, and justices of the Supreme Court would receive N61.4 million yearly.

President Tinubu's March letter to the Senate, advocating for the bill's consideration, emphasized its potential to enhance the welfare, capacity, and independence of the Nigerian judiciary. Tahir Monguno echoed these sentiments during the report presentation, stressing the necessity of revising judicial officers' severance and allowances, long stagnant.

Beyond salary increments, the bill addresses retirement provisions, aiming to attract and retain talent within the judicial system. The unanimous support for the bill underscores its critical importance, with senators expressing gratitude to the committee and Senate at large.

The bill extends its impact to various judicial officers, including Chief Judges, Grand Kadis, and Presidents of various courts, ensuring equitable treatment across the board. With annual basic salaries of N7.9 million and significant regular allowances, this marks a substantial step toward judicial reform in Nigeria.