President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian judges to uphold integrity and strengthen public confidence in the judiciary, stressing that justice must remain the stabilising force of the nation’s democracy.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference in Abuja, the President said the judiciary’s legitimacy depends on how the public perceives its fairness, impartiality and moral authority.
He noted that many Nigerians have expressed concerns about delays in justice delivery, integrity issues and limited access to justice, adding that such perceptions must be addressed through reforms.
Tinubu said the theme of the conference, “Building a Confident Judiciary,” reflects the need to rebuild trust and reinforce the judiciary’s role in protecting democracy.
The President emphasised that judges are custodians of justice and must uphold the spirit of the law, noting that judicial welfare, training and independence are essential to maintaining the institution’s credibility.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting a judiciary that is efficient, strong in capacity and uncompromising in integrity, describing it as critical to Nigeria’s development and democratic survival.
Tinubu said courts must no longer be places where cases linger for years, stressing the need for improved efficiency so that litigants can regain confidence in the rule of law.
He praised the judiciary for safeguarding constitutional order during difficult moments in the country’s history, commending its “fearless interventions” in times of national uncertainty.
The President pledged continued support for the National Judicial Institute to strengthen judicial education and professional development across the Bench.
He added that modernising judicial infrastructure including digitising court processes and adopting integrated case management systems, remains a priority for his administration.
Tinubu said a digital and transparent judiciary would deepen accountability and improve public trust, urging judges to tackle emerging challenges with courage and rigour.
In her remark, Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun thanked the President for his support, saying the conference offers judges a platform to strengthen ethics and reaffirm their commitment to fairness and accessibility.
She said the judiciary must remain a symbol of incorruptible honour to ensure justice is never denied.
The biennial conference is being attended by serving and retired Chief Justices, Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, Heads of Courts and judges from across the country.
Bello Wakili
