Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has called for improved remuneration for lawyers in Nigeria to address the nation’s harsh economic realities.

In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, December 21, Adeyanju asserted that no lawyer should earn less than ₦250,000 as a basic salary, excluding other benefits. He criticized law firms offering salaries below this threshold, describing the practice as a disservice to the legal profession.

“With the current situation of things in Nigeria, no lawyer should be paid less than ₦250k as basic salary excluding other benefits,” Adeyanju wrote. “Any law firm paying less than this is ridiculing the profession. We must be the change we want to see in the profession.”

Adeyanju’s remarks have sparked widespread discussion within the legal community and beyond, drawing attention to the financial struggles many young lawyers face.

As inflation and the rising cost of living affect various sectors, his advocacy highlights the need for reforms to ensure fair compensation and better working conditions for legal practitioners in Nigeria.