President Bola Tinubu on Monday urged Nigeria’s judicial officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity, saying no judicial reform can succeed if the foundation of trust is weakened.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking at the opening of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, Tinubu said the honour and strength of the judiciary lie in its ability to interpret the constitution clearly and impartially.
He emphasised that the public’s perception of the judiciary must remain a central concern, especially in protecting the nation’s democracy. According to him, the theme of this year’s conference, “Building a Confident Judiciary,” reflects the expectations of Nigerians, and his administration remains committed to supporting the judicial arm.
“Confidence is the lifeblood of justice,” the President said. “A judgment may be grounded in law and delivered with clarity, but unless the public perceives it as fair, impartial, and untainted, its moral authority is diminished.”
Tinubu acknowledged growing public dissatisfaction with the judicial process, including delays, questions around integrity, and concerns about access to justice.
“These perceptions cannot be ignored; they call us to reflect, reform, and restore,” he said, noting that the judiciary ultimately exists for the people, whose trust forms the backbone of national stability.
He added that while infrastructure and technology are important, the true power of the judiciary lies in its personnel, insisting that judicial welfare, training, and independence are “imperatives, not privileges.”
Tinubu urged judges to keep in view the broader national objective of building a united and prosperous country.
Reaffirming his administration’s support, he said efforts would continue to equip the judiciary with the tools and systems required to deliver timely and effective justice.
“Our courts must no longer be places where cases languish for years,” he said. “They must become beacons of efficiency where disputes are resolved promptly and where litigants depart with renewed confidence in the rule of law.”
He also praised the judiciary for playing a stabilising role in periods of national tension, noting its critical interventions in preserving constitutional order.
On digitisation, Tinubu pledged sustained investment in modernising court operations, describing technology as indispensable to judicial progress.
“A digital, transparent judiciary will improve efficiency and deepen public trust. No court should be left behind in this transformation,” he said.
In her remarks, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, thanked the President for his support and said the conference provides a crucial platform for strengthening ethics and collaboration within the judiciary.
“The temple of justice trembles where justice is denied. We must be symbols of incorruptible honour,” she said.
The biennial gathering was attended by former and serving Chief Justices of Nigeria, Presidents of the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Appeal Court Justices, heads of courts, and judges from across the country.
