Tinubu approves ‘fringe benefits law for judicial officers in Nigeria

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially signed the Judicial Office Holders’ Salaries and Allowances Bill, 2024 into law.

This was announced on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, by Senator Basheer Lado, the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters.

Earlier in March, Nairametrics reported that the President had urged the Senate to approve his proposed bill for revising the remuneration of judicial officers, which would enable them to access additional benefits and allowances. Senate President Godswill Akpabio conveyed Tinubu’s request during a plenary session, where he read the President’s letter to the legislators.

The letter, titled “Transmission of Judicial Office Holders’ Salaries and Allowances Bill, 2024,” cited section 58, sub-section two of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. It emphasized the bill’s intent to update the salaries, allowances, and benefits of judicial officials, addressing the longstanding stagnation in their compensation to better align with current socio-economic conditions.

Tinubu expressed hope that the Senate would consider and pass the bill both thoroughly and promptly.

Following approval from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, the bill was presented to the President, who has now signed it into law.

Senator Lado, speaking to the press on Tuesday, highlighted the significance of the President’s decision, noting it as a reflection of Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of all sectors in the country.

“In a demonstration of his visionary leadership and deep compassion for the Nigerian people, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCON has once again affirmed his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the nation’s workforce by assenting to the revised Salaries and Allowances for Judicial Office Holders. This landmark decision reflects Mr. President’s profound dedication to ensuring that every salary earner in Nigeria, especially those serving in vital and strategic roles, receives the recognition and compensation they deserve,” Lado was quoted as saying by The Nation.

Nairametrics also noted that the National Assembly had passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill in January, increasing the budget from Tinubu’s proposed N27.5 trillion to N28.7 trillion.