Key government figures, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, have voiced their support for a proposed 300% increase in the salaries and allowances of judicial officers.

Attorney-General Fagbemi expressed dissatisfaction over the stagnation in judicial remuneration for nearly 17 years, highlighting this issue during a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters focused on improving judicial welfare.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the substantial salary hike, which is outlined in the Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Bill, 2024, currently under Senate review.

This proposed increase has garnered robust support from top judicial and financial authorities, who emphasized the urgent need to enhance judicial compensation to preserve the sector’s integrity and efficiency.

Stakeholders, including the NJC, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), National Industrial Court (NIC), National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), also backed the proposal.

The findings and recommendations from the public hearing are slated to be presented on the Senate floor for final approval and passage, potentially marking a significant step forward in judicial reform and compensation.