By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Federal Government has increased the annual robe allowance for state counsel and legal officers in the Federal Ministry of Justice and Legal Aid Council of Nigeria from N300,000 to N1 million.
The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission disclosed the increase in a circular dated July 14, 2026, signed by its Acting Secretary, Adighiogu A. Chiadi.
The commission said the new allowance forms part of a revised structure approved for state counsel and legal officers in the Federal Public Service.
It stated, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the review of Robe Allowance for State Counsel and Legal Officers in the Federal Public Service.”
Under the new structure, lawyers serving in other ministries, departments and agencies who perform strictly legal functions will receive N600,000 annually.
The revised rates will take effect from January 1, 2027, and will be funded from the overhead allocations of the affected MDAs.
The N1 million allowance represents a N700,000 increase, or about 233 per cent, over the previously reported N300,000 rate.
The commission directed affected MDAs to implement the new rates and said enquiries concerning the allowance should be forwarded to it.
