Nigeria Increases Legal Officers' Robe Allowance to N1m

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a significant increase in the annual robe allowance for state counsel and legal officers in the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, raising it from N300,000 to N1 million. This decision was communicated in a circular dated July 14, 2026, signed by Acting Secretary Adighiogu A.

Chiadi of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. The new allowance structure is part of a broader review for State Counsel and Legal Officers in the Federal Public Service, which will take effect on January 1, 2027.

Additionally, legal officers in other ministries, departments, and agencies performing strictly legal functions will receive N600,000 annually, marking a 100% increase from the previous N300,000. The earlier allowance was disclosed by then Attorney-General Abubakar Malami during a budget defense in 2021, where he noted that approximately 860 lawyers were entitled to the previous amount, totaling about N258 million in expenditure.