Distinguished Colleagues,
In his inaugural address on August 26, 2022, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN, remarked thus:
“My administration will not only continue with the actions that seek essentially to protect the dignity of the judiciary for the proper discharge of its constitutional functions and duties, but we will also seek engagement with the government and other stakeholders in ensuring that immediate measures are taken to guarantee proper remuneration for judges and justices in service and for their comfort upon retirement.”
True to this inaugural pledge, the YC-led NBA administration embarked on vigorous advocacy and campaigning for an upward review of the remuneration of judicial officers.
Today, in a statement, the NBA President announced that this advocacy by the NBA’s national leadership has yielded tremendous success. On August 9, 2024, the president of Nigeria signed into law the Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) Act 2024. With this new law, Nigerian judicial officers will increase their salaries for the first time since 2007.
To this end, the NBA President has commended the Nigerian Executive and Legislature for this historic endeavour. Mr. Maikyau has also called on both the National and State Houses of Assembly to seriously consider including magistrates in the Constitution’s definition of judicial officers and for improvements in the welfare of judicial staff.
While congratulating the Nigerian Judiciary, the NBA President also requested that the Judiciary justify the improvement in their remuneration. He said, “There must be a deliberate and conscious effort to work back into the hearts of Nigerians and revive public confidence in the judiciary.”
The statement of the NBA president is attached for your reference.
Thank you,
Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary, NBA
