President Bola Tinubu has issued a powerful call to the Nigerian judiciary, stating that no reform effort can possibly succeed if the integrity of the Bench is compromised. The President made this declaration on Monday, November 17, 2025, in Abuja while opening the All Nigerian Judges Conference.
The Bedrock of a Confident Judiciary
Addressing a gathering of the nation's top judicial officers at the National Judicial Institute, President Tinubu placed a strong emphasis on the public perception of the judiciary as a paramount concern for safeguarding democracy. He affirmed that the strength and honour of this vital arm of government rest squarely on the proper and unequivocal interpretation of the constitution.
The President described confidence as the "lifeblood of justice," arguing that even a legally sound judgment loses its moral authority if the public does not see it as fair and impartial. "We must acknowledge that public perception of the judicial process has not always been favourable," Tinubu stated candidly. "Citizens have expressed frustration with delays, concerns about integrity, and anxiety over access to justice. These perceptions cannot be ignored; they call us to reflect, reform, and restore."
A Call for Efficiency and Modernisation
President Tinubu used the platform of the conference, which carried the timely theme "Building a Confident Judiciary," to outline his vision for a more effective judicial system. He reassured the judges of his administration's continued support, promising the institutional and material resources needed to deliver justice swiftly.
"Our courts must no longer be places where cases languish for years," he insisted. "They must become beacons of efficiency where disputes are resolved promptly and where litigants depart with renewed confidence in the rule of law." On the critical issue of modernisation, the President pledged sustained attention to the digitization of court processes, describing technology as a necessity. "A digital, transparent judiciary will improve efficiency and deepen public trust. No court should be left behind in this transformation," he said.
Judges as Guardians of Democracy
Reaffirming that the judiciary exists for the people, Tinubu noted that citizens' faith in judicial processes is the foundation of national stability. While acknowledging the importance of infrastructure and technology, he stressed that the true strength of the judiciary lies in the men and women who interpret the law.
He commended the judiciary for its steadfastness during periods of national uncertainty, noting that its interventions have been crucial in preserving constitutional order. The President also identified judicial welfare, training, and independence not as privileges, but as imperatives for a functional democracy.
In her remarks, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, thanked the President for his commitment to justice. She echoed the sentiment on integrity, stating, "The temple of justice trembles where justice is denied. We must be symbols of incorruptible honour." The biennial conference was attended by a wide array of judicial officers, including former and serving Chief Justices, Justices of the Supreme and Appeal Courts, and judges from across the country.
