Senate okays 300% salary increase for CJN, other judicial officers
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, approved a bill granting a 300% salary increase for judicial officers at both federal and state levels.
This decision came following the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC-Borno North).
If President Bola Tinubu assented to it, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) will now earn N64 million annually, the President of the Court of Appeal is to earn N62.4 million annually while the justices of the Supreme Court will earn N61.4 million annually.
Also, Justices of the Court of Appeal are set to earn a total monthly package of ₦3,726,665.40. Additionally, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, President of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Grand Khadi of the FCT Sharia Court of Appeal, President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of state High Courts, Grand Khadi of State Sharia Courts of Appeal, and Presidents of state Customary Courts of Appeal will each receive ₦3,527,022.61 per month.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced passage of the bill after a majority of the senators supported it through voice votes.
The bill was considered and approved by the Committee of the Whole.
This significant salary adjustment is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the welfare of judicial officers, aiming to ensure they are adequately compensated and motivated in their roles.
Meanwhile, the approval followed the consideration and adoption of an executive bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, aimed at prescribing improved salaries, allowances, and other fringe benefits for judicial officers and workers.