President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday declared that his administration remains firmly committed to strengthening the Nigerian Judiciary, insisting that justice must remain sacred, uncompromised, and beyond the reach of corruption. He made the remarks while addressing judges at the opening ceremony of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges’ Conference of the Superior Courts, held at the Andrews Otutu Obaseki Auditorium of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.
Speaking before a gathering of judicial officers from across the country, President Tinubu praised the Judiciary as the stabilising force that has historically preserved Nigeria’s constitutional order during periods of national uncertainty. He said the courage and integrity of judges have often prevented tyranny, safeguarded citizens’ rights, and upheld democratic values.
“The Judiciary has stood firm whenever Nigeria faced uncertainty,” he noted. “It is through the judicial pronouncements of courageous judges that our democracy has endured.”
The theme of this year’s conference, “Building a Confident Judiciary,” was described by the President as timely and necessary. He stressed that public confidence remains the true measure of judicial legitimacy, warning that justice loses moral authority if the people do not perceive the courts as fair, impartial, and beyond manipulation.
Tinubu openly acknowledged the concerns Nigerians have expressed over judicial delays, access to justice, and perceptions of compromised integrity. These sentiments, he said, demand reflection and reforms from all stakeholders.
“Justice does not exist for the Bench or the Bar; it exists for the people,” he said. “Their confidence is the foundation of our national stability.”
The President reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting the Judiciary with reforms, funding, and improved working conditions. He stressed that an efficient and fearless Judiciary is indispensable to a prosperous, democratic Nigeria.
According to Tinubu, modernization of court systems—including digitisation, integrated case management, and secure judicial facilities—will remain a core priority of his administration. He emphasised that technology is no longer optional if Nigerian courts must meet global standards of efficiency and transparency.
“Our courts must no longer be places where cases languish for years,” he declared. “A digital, transparent Judiciary will deepen accountability and public trust.”
While emphasising infrastructure upgrades, the President maintained that the real strength of the Judiciary lies in the quality of its judges. He pledged continuous support for the National Judicial Institute, describing judicial training, welfare, and independence as national imperatives rather than privileges.
However, Tinubu issued a stern warning on the issue of judicial integrity. He stressed that corruption within the Judiciary collapses nations from within, undermining the very foundation of governance and democracy.
“Justice must never be for sale,” he cautioned. “The Bench must never become a sanctuary for compromise.”
He urged judges to uphold the highest standards of discipline and responsibility, adding that cleansing the Judiciary is a collective duty of all judicial officers—not the National Judicial Council (NJC) alone.
In his charge to the delegates, Tinubu called for bold and practical deliberations throughout the conference. He urged the Judiciary to confront key issues such as case backlogs, internal discipline, access to justice for the poor, and ways to strengthen the courts as the true last hope of the common man.
“You hold in your hands the power to shape the moral compass of our Republic,” he told the judges. “No citizen should be too weak to be heard, and no authority too powerful to be restrained by law.”
The President pledged continued partnership with the Judiciary, assuring the judges that his administration will stand firmly beside them in the quest to uphold justice and rule of law.
Declaring the conference open, he concluded by urging the Judiciary to remain a fearless guardian of Nigeria’s democracy.
“Each fair judgment strengthens the Republic,” he said. “Let the chapters written in our time be remembered for integrity, courage, and fidelity to the rule of law.”
