The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, has stated that Nigerians will continue to suffer from the nation’s judiciary system unless the salaries, allowances, and benefits of judges are increased.
He made this statement on Monday during a public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters. The hearing was focused on a bill to set the salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits of judicial officers.
Represented by Hon Justice Kashim Zannah, the Chief Judge of Borno State, Mr. Ariwoola compared the current salaries of Nigerian judges to a patient in an intensive care unit (ICU) who needs urgent medical attention.
The last time judges’ salaries were reviewed was in 2007. For 17 years, judges have been earning the same amount despite the significant drop in purchasing power, while other sectors have seen multiple salary reviews during this period.
To illustrate, the exchange rate of the US dollar was 130.25 in 2007 when the salary was set. According to the June 2009 Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission review report, this exchange rate was used to determine the salary.
For example, a judge’s monthly gross pay before tax was 661,738 Naira, which equaled $5,080 at the 2007 exchange rate. Today, with an exchange rate of 1500, that same salary is worth only $441.
A salary that was once $5,080 has now dwindled to $441. The bill currently being discussed proposes a salary of 3 million Naira, when it should be 7.6 million Naira.
Despite this, the CJN expressed appreciation to the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for the bill, noting that it is a significant improvement and acknowledges the unique nature of judicial work.
However, even the proposed salary package is less than half the value of the salaries set in 2007. Judges across Nigeria have endured 17 years of decreasing value and resulting hardship.
The CJN hopes that the 10th National Assembly will pass the bill with the attached terms reflecting the appropriation law passed by the House and Senate, and with the approval of the President, to ensure a fair increase for judicial officers.
