Rasheeda Yahaya
President Bola Tinubu has called on judges across Nigeria to safeguard the integrity of the judiciary, emphasizing that no reform can succeed without it. He made the remarks on Monday while officially opening the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.
Addressing participants, the President stressed that the judiciary’s strength lies in the proper and impartial interpretation of the Constitution. He highlighted that public confidence in the courts is critical for the survival of democracy and the stability of the nation.
“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, but unless the public perceives it as fair and impartial, its moral authority is diminished,” President Tinubu said.
The President acknowledged existing public concerns regarding delays, access to justice, and integrity within the judicial system. He urged judges to always consider the broader goal of a united and prosperous Nigeria in their work.
“Judges are the living custodians of justice. Judicial welfare, training, and independence are not privileges; they are imperatives. We cannot build a just society without a fearless and functional judiciary,” he added.
President Tinubu further assured that his administration would continue to support judicial education, modernization of infrastructure, and the digitization of court processes to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, expressed gratitude to the President for his commitment to the judiciary and highlighted the importance of the conference as a platform for collaboration, ethical strengthening, and strategic planning.
The biennial conference brought 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 nation.
President Tinubu concluded by reaffirming his administration’s dedication to a judiciary that embodies integrity, resilience, and public trust, describing it as indispensable for the nation’s democracy and prosperity.
