Senate Approves N60m Salary for Judges While Masses Struggle with N30,000 Minimum Wage
6th June 2024
In a move that highlights the stark irony and injustice in the current economic landscape, the Senate passed a bill on Wednesday to significantly increase the salaries, allowances, and other benefits of judicial officers in Nigeria. This comes at a time when the majority of Nigerians continue to grapple with a meager minimum wage of N30,000.
The bill, presented by Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, proposes an annual salary of N64 million for the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). If signed into law, the President of the Court of Appeal would earn N62.4 million, and each Justice of the Supreme Court would receive N61.4 million annually.
Furthermore, the heads of various courts, including the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the President of the National Industrial Court, would be entitled to an annual basic salary of N7.9 million.
Senator Monguno emphasized that the bill received unanimous support from stakeholders during the public hearing, citing the current economic realities and high inflation as reasons for the overdue salary increase for judicial officers.
“The proposed legislation is apt and timely as the increase in remuneration of judicial office holders is long overdue in the light of the present economic realities and high inflation in the country,” he said.
He also highlighted that the bill is innovative as it considers the peculiarities of the judiciary’s administrative structure and operational mechanisms, aiming to ensure judicial independence and integrity through fair compensation.
“Fair compensation for judicial officers is crucial for maintaining public trust in the judiciary’s impartiality and integrity. When judges are adequately compensated, it demonstrates a commitment by society towards the important role they play in upholding justice,” Monguno added.
This significant pay rise for judicial officers, which has been included in the 2024 Appropriation Act, comes at a time when the masses are suffering under the weight of economic hardship, with many Nigerians finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet on a minimum wage of N30,000.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and the Nigerian Bar Association had recently voiced their support for the salary increase, which they noted had not been reviewed for 17 years.
While the increase is intended to ensure judicial independence and improve decision-making skills among judges, it raises questions about the government’s priorities and the glaring disparity between the elite and the average Nigerian worker.
The move to increase judges’ salaries starkly contrasts with the refusal to raise the minimum wage, highlighting a significant misalignment in addressing the financial needs of the majority of Nigerians.
As the nation grapples with economic challenges, it is crucial for the government to consider equitable solutions that benefit all citizens, not just the privileged few in power.
