President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, November 17, 2025, urged judges across Nigeria to safeguard the integrity of the judiciary and uphold the spirit of the law, emphasising that the strength and honour of the judicial system lie in proper and unequivocal interpretation of the Constitution.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja, President Tinubu highlighted the importance of public confidence in the judiciary, stressing that the perception of fairness, impartiality, and transparency is central to the legitimacy of the judicial process.
“The theme of this year’s conference, ‘Building a Confident Judiciary,’ could not be more fitting. Confidence is the lifeblood of justice. A judgment may be grounded in law and delivered with clarity, but unless the public perceives it to be fair, impartial, and untainted, its moral authority is diminished,” the President said.
He acknowledged public concerns over delays and integrity within the judicial process, urging judges to reflect, reform, and restore faith in the system.
“Justice does not exist for the Bench or the Bar; it exists for the people. Their faith in the judicial process is the foundation of our national stability,” he added.
President Tinubu also stressed that the judiciary’s true strength lies not in physical structures or technology but in the calibre of its judges.
“Our Judges are the living custodians of justice; the calibre of their work defines the moral strength of the Republic. Judicial welfare, training, and independence are not privileges; they are imperatives,” he said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting a judiciary that is “strong in capacity, efficient in processes, and uncompromising in integrity,” noting that modernisation of judicial infrastructure and the adoption of technology would be prioritised to ensure efficiency, transparency, and public trust.
“Courts must no longer be places where cases languish for years. They must become beacons of efficiency, where disputes are resolved swiftly, and where litigants depart with renewed confidence in the rule of law,” President Tinubu said.
The President commended the judiciary’s role in preserving democracy and constitutional order during critical moments in Nigeria’s history, extending the government’s gratitude for its steadfastness and fearless interventions.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, expressed appreciation for President Tinubu’s commitment to justice, describing the conference as a platform for judges to strengthen ethics, collaborate, and adopt strategic resolutions to enhance public confidence in the judiciary.
The biennial conference, convened by the National Judicial Institute, brings together former and serving Chief Justices, Presidents of the Court of Appeal, Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, heads of courts, and judges from across the country, including High Court justices, to reflect on challenges and opportunities within the judicial system.
