President Bola Tinubu has signed the Judicial Office Holders’ Salaries and Allowances Bill into law, marking a significant milestone in the compensation of Nigeria’s judiciary. This development was disclosed by Senator Basheer Lado, the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja.
The National Assembly had approved the bill in June, which provides a 300% salary increase for judicial officers at both federal and state levels. This legislative move followed the President’s submission of an executive bill that aimed to enhance the salaries, allowances, and other fringe benefits of 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,” was designed to address the financial disparities faced by the judiciary and update their compensation to reflect current economic realities.
Senator Lado emphasized the significance of this law, stating, “This extraordinary move underscores Mr. President’s absolute prioritization of the welfare of Nigerian workers above all else, similar to his recent decision to halt an ongoing Federal Executive Council meeting to sign the new National Minimum Wage Bill of ₦70,000.”
The newly enacted law amends the Certain Political, Public, and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) Act, No.6, 2002 (as amended), by removing provisions related to judicial office holders from the existing statute. This change aims to streamline and modernize the compensation structure for judicial officers.
Lado hailed the President’s approval of the bill as a “landmark achievement” and a testament to Tinubu’s “unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigeria’s workforce.” He noted that the decision reflects Tinubu’s dedication to ensuring that those in strategic and vital roles receive the recognition and compensation they deserve.
“By prioritizing the financial well-being 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,” Lado added.
He also highlighted the centrality of worker welfare in Tinubu’s administration, describing it as a “pillar of national progress” and commending the President’s visionary policies that uplift the lives of millions of Nigerians.
The statement also included commendations for Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abass Tajudeen, and members of the 10th National Assembly for their commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerians by passing the executive bill.
Judicial office holders were urged to intensify their efforts to ensure swift and fair justice delivery, in light of the President’s action aimed at enhancing their welfare. “The judiciary remains the hope of the common man, and it is hoped that Nigerians seeking justice get it irrespective of their status in life,” Lado concluded.
Following the bill’s passage, 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 be entitled to ₦62.4 million, while Justices of the Supreme Court will earn ₦61.4 million each. Other heads of various courts, including the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, will receive an annual basic salary of ₦7.9 million.
