The Chief Justice of Nigeria will have an annual salary of ₦64 million, the President of the Court of Appeal will receive ₦62.4 million annually, and Justices of the Supreme Court will each earn ₦61.4 million annually. On Wednesday, June 5, the Nigerian Senate passed a bill to triple the salaries of federal and state judicial officers. This decision followed the presentation of a committee report by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC-Borno North), chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters.
The approval came after reviewing an executive bill from President Bola Tinubu aimed at improving the salaries, allowances, and benefits for judicial officers and employees. According to Daily Trust, if the House of Representatives approves the bill and it receives presidential assent, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will have an annual salary of ₦64 million. The President of the Court of Appeal will receive ₦62.4 million annually, while Justices of the Supreme Court will each earn ₦61.4 million annually.
Heads of various courts, such as 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 each have a basic annual salary of ₦7.9 million. Senator Monguno emphasized that the proposed legislation is timely and necessary, noting that the increase in judicial officers’ pay is long overdue due to current economic conditions and high inflation. He also mentioned that the salary increment is included in the 2024 Appropriation Act.