President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian judges to confront rising concerns about corruption and inefficiency in the judicial system, stressing that public perception of the courts “has not always been favourable.”
Speaking in Abuja at the opening of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges’ Conference, the president said many citizens have complained about delays, questionable integrity, and limited access to justice.
“These perceptions, whether justified or not, cannot be ignored,” Tinubu said. “Justice exists for the people. Their confidence is the foundation of national stability.”
He warned that the judiciary must never be seen as “a sanctuary of compromise,” emphasizing that no reform can succeed if integrity is lacking.
“Justice must never be for sale. Corruption in any arm of government weakens the nation, but corruption in the judiciary destroys it at the core,” he said.
Tinubu highlighted the importance of a strong, principled bench capable of delivering credible judgments, noting that public confidence is the “true currency of justice.”
He praised Nigerian judges as custodians of justice, noting that their decisions have often stabilized the country during turbulent times.
The president reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting judicial independence, training, welfare, and the modernization of court processes—including digitisation and integrated case management systems.
“Our courts must no longer be places where cases linger for years,” he said. “They must be institutions where disputes are resolved swiftly and fairly.”
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, in her remarks, thanked Tinubu for his support and called for judges to remain symbols of “incorruptible honour.”
She noted that the biennial conference provides an essential forum for reflection, collaboration, and setting new ethical and operational standards for the judiciary.
The event was attended by former and serving Chief Justices of Nigeria, Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, Heads of Courts, and judges from across the federation.
