Aiyedatiwa Approves 60% Pay Rise for Ondo Judicial Officers After Decades Without Salary Review
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has approved a 60 per cent increase in the salaries and allowances of magistrates and other judicial officers, in a move aimed at improving their welfare and strengthening the administration of justice.
The approval, announced on Thursday in Akure, covers magistrates, Presidents of Grade A Customary Courts, and Legal Research Officers. Officials described it as the first major review of the remuneration of the affected officers in decades.
The development is expected to enhance the morale and productivity of judicial officers while improving the delivery of justice across the state.
Speaking while receiving a delegation from the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ondo State Chapter, the Head of Service, Segun Odusanya, said the salary review demonstrated the administration’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary and addressing long-standing welfare concerns.
Odusanya explained that the increase formed part of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s broader efforts to reinforce the state’s justice system by ensuring judicial officers are better supported in carrying out their responsibilities.
According to him, the approval was long overdue, noting that magistrates had been advocating improved salaries and allowances through successive administrations.
“This agitation has been on for years through successive administrations. We appreciate the governor for graciously approving the increase in salaries and allowances for magistrates,” Odusanya said.
He added that many magistrates had been compelled to rely on commercial motorcycles and public transportation while carrying out official duties, describing the situation as inappropriate for judicial officers.
“It is unheard of that magistrates have to rely on commercial motorcycles and public transport in the discharge of their duties. The governor has approved the review of their salaries and allowances, which is the first in decades,” he said.
Odusanya further disclosed that the state government is considering providing official vehicles for the affected officers to improve their mobility and enhance service delivery.
According to him, exposing judicial officers to the risks associated with public transportation could compromise their safety and impede the effective administration of justice.
Speaking on behalf of the magistrates, the Chairman of MAN in Ondo State, Funmi Edwin, commended Governor Aiyedatiwafor approving the salary increase, describing the decision as unprecedented.
“It has just been confirmed that the governor has signed the approval for the increment. This is a positive development for us because it has never happened before,” Edwin said.
She noted that judicial officers in the state had not benefited from a comparable salary review in about 50 years and praised the governor for addressing a long-standing welfare issue.
“We appreciate the governor for doing what no other governor has done in Ondo State for about 50 years. The allowances we have been receiving have remained unchanged for decades,” she said.
Edwin expressed confidence that the salary review would improve the motivation and performance of judicial officers. She also appealed to the state government to give favourable consideration to the association’s request for official vehicles for magistrates, noting that improved mobility would further strengthen the efficient delivery of justice.
