President Bola Tinubu, speaking at the opening of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, urged judges to uphold the sanctity of their profession by safeguarding integrity. He emphasized that the strength and honour of the judiciary rest on proper and unequivocal interpretation of the Constitution.
Highlighting the conference theme, “Building a Confident Judiciary,” President Tinubu stressed that public perception of the judiciary is critical. “Confidence is the lifeblood of justice,” he said, noting that even judgments grounded in law lose moral authority if perceived as unfair or biased. Public trust, he added, is the true measure of the judiciary’s legitimacy.
Addressing Public Perceptions
President Tinubu acknowledged that public perception of the judiciary has sometimes been less than favourable. Citizens have raised concerns about delays, integrity, and access to justice. These challenges, he said, demand reflection, reform, and restoration. “Justice does not exist for the Bench or the Bar; it exists for the people,” he reminded attendees, stressing that faith in the judicial process is foundational to national stability.
Judges as Custodians of Justice
The President underscored that the real strength of the judiciary lies in its people. “Bricks and mortar, or even digital screens, do not make justice. The true strength of the Judiciary lies in the men and women who interpret the law and give life to its spirit,” he said. Judicial welfare, training, and independence, he added, are imperatives, not privileges.
Judges, he noted, must always consider the larger picture of a united and prosperous nation while carrying out their duties. A strong, efficient, and incorruptible judiciary is not merely desirable, but indispensable to the survival of democracy and national prosperity.
Modernization and Digital Transformation
President Tinubu also highlighted the government’s commitment to modernizing judicial infrastructure. He affirmed continued support for the National Judicial Institute as a hub for judicial education and professional development. Judges, he noted, must continuously evolve to interpret law in contemporary times and uphold constitutional values.
Technology, he said, is no longer optional. Digitisation of court processes, integrated case management systems, and reliable judicial facilities are essential to efficiency, accountability, and public trust. “A digital, transparent judiciary will deepen accountability and public trust. We should not leave any of our courts behind,” he said.
Honouring the Judiciary’s Legacy
The President commended the judiciary for its courage and steadfastness in critical moments of Nigeria’s history. Judges, he said, have restrained tyranny, preserved constitutional order, and amplified justice above division and despair. For this, the government and citizens owe them enduring gratitude and respect.
A Call to Courage and Excellence
President Tinubu urged judges to rigorously and courageously address the challenges facing the judiciary. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, expressed gratitude to the President for his commitment to justice, describing the conference as a vital platform for retrospection, collaboration, and strategic reform.
She emphasized the judiciary’s responsibility as a symbol of incorruptible honour, where justice must be dispensed with precision, fairness, and accessibility. The biennial conference brings together former and serving Chief Justices, judges of all levels, and other judicial officers nationwide to strengthen institutional ethics and public confidence in the rule of law.
