The Federal Government has approved a significant increase in the annual robe allowance
paid to state counsel and legal officers in the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Legal Aid
Council of Nigeria.
Under the new arrangement, eligible lawyers will receive N1 million annually, representing
an increase of approximately 233 per cent from the previously reported N300,000 allowance.
The development was disclosed in a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and
Wages Commission and signed by its Acting Secretary, Adighiogu A. Chiadi.
The circular, addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of government
agencies, stated that the review forms part of a broader restructuring of allowances for legal
officers in the Federal Public Service.
According to the commission, lawyers working within the Federal Ministry of Justice and the
Legal Aid Council will now receive N1 million annually as robe allowance.
The commission also approved a separate annual allowance of N600,000 for legal officers
employed in other ministries, departments and agencies who perform strictly legal functions.
The revised allowance structure is scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2027, with
affected institutions expected to fund the payments from their existing overhead allocations.
Robe allowance is a professional benefit provided to lawyers who are required to appear in
court on behalf of government institutions while wearing approved legal attire.
The latest review reflects the Federal Government’s efforts to improve welfare packages for
legal practitioners within the public service and ensure that compensation arrangements better
reflect current economic realities.
The increase also comes amid wider reforms and adjustments to public-sector salaries and
allowances aimed at improving motivation and productivity among government workers.
Officials believe the new allowance structure will provide greater support for legal officers
whose duties require regular court appearances and professional representation of
government agencies.
