The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is urging the government to review the low pay of judges at all levels in the country. The NBA’s committee on judiciary, led by Chairman Babatunde Ajibade (SAN), recently met with the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to discuss the issue.
The National Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Akorede Lawal, confirmed the meeting and emphasized the association’s commitment to improving the welfare of judicial officers. He noted that discussions have been ongoing, and they have been advocating for a substantial increase in salaries and allowances for judicial officers.
The issue of low remuneration for judges has been a concern, with legal experts and stakeholders calling for action to address the situation. Some have argued that judges should receive better compensation, similar to what is observed in some other countries where judicial officers and teachers are among the best-paid professionals.
According to information from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the Chief Justice of Nigeria earns about N560,662.16 per month, including basic salary and various allowances. Justices of the Supreme Court and the President of the Court of Appeal receive around N908,273.67 per month, while judges of the Court of Appeal earn about N731,657.66 monthly.
The NBA is actively pushing for an increase in judges’ salaries, with the hope that a substantial raise will help improve the condition of service for judges and attract more qualified individuals to the judiciary.
This development comes in response to the need for judicial reform and improving the welfare of judges in Nigeria. The legal community is increasingly advocating for changes to enhance the judiciary’s effectiveness and independence.