Minimum Wage: Public Outcry As Senate Okays Over N60m Annual Salary For CJN, Supreme Court Justices

There has been an outcry by Netizens over Senate’s passage, on Wednesday, of a bill seeking an upward review of salaries, allowances and other fringe benefits of judicial officers in the country, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and Supreme Court justices.

The move, seen as swift and decisive by some, was met with mixed reactions from citizens grappling with the current economic challenges and an ongoing debate about equitable distribution of resources.

The approved bill, which seeks to revise the remuneration packages of judicial officers, proposes an annual salary of N64 million for the CJN, while justices of the Supreme Court would receive N61.4 million each per annum.

This decision, while aimed at addressing long-standing concerns over inadequate compensation for judicial officers, has sparked intense debate among Nigerians regarding priorities in a nation facing numerous economic and social challenges.

Senator Mohammed Monguno, the Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, defended the bill, citing widespread support from stakeholders during public hearings. He emphasised the importance of aligning judicial salaries with prevailing economic realities to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary. Monguno stressed that fair compensation is crucial for ensuring judicial officers can discharge their duties effectively without financial constraints, thereby enhancing professionalism and decision-making within the judiciary.

READ ALSO: Moghalu Recommends N100,000 Minimum Wage 

However, citizens expressed skepticism and frustration over what they perceived as misplaced priorities in governance. Social media platforms buzzed with criticism as users pointed out disparities between the proposed judicial salaries and the struggles of ordinary Nigerians. Many lamented the apparent swift approval of increased judicial salaries contrasted with prolonged delays in addressing issues such as workers’ minimum wages and infrastructure development.

On X formerly Twitter, user @amaka_gemma, highlighted the perceived inconsistency in government actions, juxtaposing the rapid passage of the bill with the prolonged delays in addressing other pressing issues such as workers’ minimum wages. Similarly, @HUSHPUPPI420, questioned the government’s allocation of resources, particularly in light of the economic challenges faced by civil servants. Meanwhile, @Rahmonade15 and @miky_choc expressed frustration over what they perceived as excessive spending by the government at the expense of the average citizen.

The approval of increased salaries for judicial officers underscores broader concerns regarding governance, accountability, and equitable distribution of resources in Nigeria. As citizens voice their grievances and demand accountability, the debate surrounding the prioritization of government spending and the welfare of the populace continues to reverberate across the country.

Citzens post on X:
G R A N D E U R 💎 1. OF IGBOLAND 👿👺♠️
@amaka_gemma
Nigerian’s problem are??
Passed national anthem in 48 hrs
Increased CJN &judiciary officer’s salary by 300% in 3hrs
Can’t pass workers minimum wages for months
165m naira on SUV
10 principal excos in Senate receives 200m & 500m with 29m every month each totalling 1.75b

ATAKWANA 🦍🦍AFUFU🦍🦍 @HUSHPUPPI420: 😂😂😂😂and they can’t pay
Civil servant
400k ?

Ray@Rahmonade15: Chai. Executive Legislature Judiciary just dey miliki
Na ordinary man go make sacrifices

PEPPER 🌶️@miky_choc: The salary of one senate can feed three villages.