President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday signed into law a bill that provides a 300 percent salary increase for judicial officers at both federal and state levels in the country.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the bill, titled “Judicial Office Holders’ Salaries and Allowances,” was passed by the Senate in June 2024 and will allow the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to earn N64 million annually.
The Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, in a statement issued on Tuesday noted that Tinubu’s signing of the bill marks his “unwavering commitment” to the welfare of Nigeria’s workforce.
According to Lado, “This extraordinary move underscores Mr President’s absolute prioritization of the welfare of Nigerian workers above all else just like he did when he recently put on hold an ongoing Federal Executive Council meeting to assent to the new National Minimum Wage Bill of N70,000.”
He said the “New Act prescribes salaries, allowances, etc., for Judicial Officers to reflect the changing realities and consequentially amend the provisions of the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.), Act, No.6, 2002 (as amended) to delete the provisions relating to Judicial Office Holders.”
Lado further stressed that among the salient features of the Act include, “The prescription of salaries, allowances, and other benefits for Judicial Officers.
“The amendment of Certain Political, Public, and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) Act, No.6, 2002 (as amended) which provides for the deletion of provisions relating to Judicial Office Holders from the aforementioned Act.”
He described the signing of the bill by the President as a landmark achievement and a manifestation of his unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigeria’s workforce.
Lado said, “In a demonstration of his visionary leadership and deep compassion for the Nigerian people, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCON has once again affirmed his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the nation’s workforce by assenting to the revised Salaries and Allowances for Judicial Office Holders.
“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.
“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.
“Under President Tinubu’s administration, the welfare of our workers has become a central pillar of national progress.
“His visionary policies continue to uplift the lives of millions, ensuring that the dignity of labour is upheld and that those who serve our nation are justly rewarded.
“This assent is a clear testament to Mr. President’s tireless efforts to build a more prosperous and equitable Nigeria, where every worker is empowered to contribute to the nation’s greatness.
“As we look to the future with hope and determination, Mr President remains steadfast in his mission to champion initiatives that deliver fair compensation, improved working conditions, and a brighter future for all Nigerians.”
The enactment of the bill means Justice Olukayode Ariwoola who is the Chief Justice of Nigeria, will henceforth receive an annual salary of ₦64 million.
The President of the Court of Appeal is set to earn ₦62.4 million, while each Justice of the Supreme Court will be compensated with ₦61.4 million.
Additionally, all heads of various courts, including the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, and the President of the
National Industrial Court will receive a uniform annual salary of ₦7.9 million.