President Bola Tinubu on Monday, called for a reform of the country’s judiciary to restore the faith of the people in the judicial process, which is the foundation of national stability as ultimate justice exists for them.
Tinubu spoke at the opening of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges’ Conference organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Abuja, with the theme: “Building a Confident Judiciary.”
The President noted that 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 and added that, the confidence of the people is not an abstract aspiration but, a living measure of the Judiciary’s legitimacy and the true currency of justice.
The President further noted that the judiciary had always stood firm as stabilising force whenever Nigeria faced moments of uncertainty, “through the courage of judges and their judicial pronouncements that tyranny has been restrained, constitutional order preserved, and the voice of justice amplified above the noise of division or despair.”
To make the judiciary beacons of efficiency, Tinubu pledged to provide the institutional and material support to the judiciary with improved working conditions, modern infrastructure, and well-equipped courtrooms “where justice is dispensed promptly and transparently.
“The modernisation of judicial infrastructure remains a central priority. Technology is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. The digitisation of court processes, the adoption of integrated case management systems, and the provision of secure and reliable judicial facilities will receive sustained attention from this administration.
“A digital, transparent judiciary will not only improve efficiency but will also deepen accountability and public trust. We should not leave any of our courts behind in this transformation.
“The true strength of the Judiciary lies in the men and women who interpret the law and give life to its spirit. Our Judges are the living custodians of justice; the calibre of their work defines the moral strength of the Republic. That is why judicial welfare, training, and independence are not privileges; they are imperatives.
“We will continue to support the NJI as the leading hub for judicial education, comparative study, and professional development. Continuous learning and intellectual renewal must remain the hallmark of our Bench. The law evolves daily, and so too must those who interpret and apply it.
“We must ensure that our Judges are not only equipped to interpret law in contemporary times but also empowered to shape it in accordance with constitutional values.
“However, let us be clear: no amount of reform can succeed if integrity is compromised. Justice must never be for sale, and the Bench must never become a sanctuary for compromise. Corruption in any arm of government weakens the nation, but corruption in the Judiciary destroys it at its core. When justice is compromised, governance loses its integrity, and democracy loses its foundation.
“With utmost seriousness, my administration stands ready to support every effort by the Judiciary to preserve its dignity and eliminate misconduct. Only a Judiciary that cleanses itself can command the moral authority to cleanse society”, he said.
According to the President, the Judiciary is not an end in itself but an instrument of justice for the people. Its moral power flows not merely from the Constitution, but from the trust and confidence that ordinary citizens repose in it.
He added that, a courageous, transparent, and principled Judiciary is the greatest guarantee of freedom; a slow, compromised, or disconnected Judiciary is its greatest threat.
“This is why I urge you, in your discussions, to be bold and practical. Go beyond diagnosing old challenges and commit to actionable solutions. Ask the difficult questions on: How do we reduce the backlog of cases? How do we strengthen discipline within the ranks? How do we make justice more affordable and accessible to the poor, the weak, and the voiceless? And above all, how do we build a Judiciary that truly remains the last hope of the common man?
“The task is weighty, but it is noble, and I assure you that this administration will continue to stand beside you, listen to you, and support you in fulfilling this sacred responsibility”, he said.
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