…says you cannot ignore public perception of the judiciary
President Bola Tinubu on Monday tasked members of the judiciary with making justice more affordable and accessible to the poor, the weak, and the voiceless.
The President stated this at the opening session of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges’ Conference of the Superior Courts, held at the Andrews Obaseki Auditorium, National Judicial Council (NJC), Abuja.
He described the gathering as an extraordinary convocation of men and women upon whose wisdom, courage and integrity rest the stability of the nation’s democracy, as well as “the protection of our Constitution and the preservation of the rights and liberties of every Nigerian.”
“Whenever Nigeria has faced moments of uncertainty, history has recorded that the judiciary stood firm as the stabilising force of our national life. It is 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,” he said.
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Speaking on the theme of this year’s conference, Building a Confident Judiciary, the President said it “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 confidence of the people is, therefore, not an abstract aspiration; it is the living measure of the judiciary’s legitimacy and the true currency of justice.”
President Tinubu urged the judges to acknowledge, with candour, that public perception of the judicial process has not always been favourable, noting that “citizens have expressed frustration at delays, concerns about integrity and anxiety over access to justice.”
“These perceptions, whether wholly justified or not, cannot be ignored. They call upon us to reflect, to reform, and to restore. For ultimately, 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.
“The Judiciary does not exist in isolation; it functions within a larger democratic framework in which all three arms of government must work in synergy, with mutual respect and shared responsibility to the Nigerian people.
“The Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary must remain united by purpose, even when separated by function,” Tinubu said.
The President stated that his administration believes a judiciary that is strong in capacity, efficient in process, and uncompromising in integrity is not merely desirable but indispensable to the survival of Nigeria’s democracy and the prosperity of the nation.
“We cannot build a just society without a fearless and functional judiciary.”
He added that his administration has also resolved to provide the institutional and material support that will enable the courts to perform their duties with dignity, confidence and efficiency.
“Support must be tangible, not ceremonial. It must translate into improved working conditions, modern infrastructure, and well-equipped courtrooms where justice is dispensed promptly and transparently. Our 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.
“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.
“Yet, bricks and mortar or even digital screens do not make justice. The true strength of the Judiciary lies in the men and women who interpret the law and give life to its spirit,” he said.
Tinubu described the judges as the living custodians of justice, noting that the calibre of their work defines the moral strength of the Republic. He added that judicial welfare, training and independence are not privileges but imperatives.
“We will continue to support the National Judicial Institute (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 President, while noting that the law evolves daily and so too must those who interpret and apply it, added: “We must ensure that our judges are not only equipped to interpret the 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.”
The President also noted that corruption in any arm of government weakens the nation, adding that “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.
“This is not a task for the National Judicial Council alone; it is a collective duty that rests on every judicial officer. Discipline within the Judiciary must be firm, transparent, and consistent. Only a Judiciary that cleanses itself can command the moral authority to cleanse society.
“My Lords, as you deliberate in the coming days, I want you to remember that the Judiciary is not an end in itself; it is 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. A courageous, transparent, and principled Judiciary is the greatest guarantee of freedom; a slow, compromised, or disconnected Judiciary is its greatest threat.”
Read also: Tinubu charges judiciary to uphold integrity, resist compromise
He urged the judges to be bold and practical and go beyond diagnosing old challenges and commit to actionable solutions, but 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?”
“Distinguished Judges and delegates, I see before me not just interpreters of the law, but guardians of Nigeria’s moral conscience and architects of her democratic destiny.
“You hold in your hands the power to shape the moral compass of our Republic; to ensure that no citizen is too weak to be heard and no authority too powerful to be restrained by law.”
He described the task as “weighty”, adding that “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.
“Let me conclude by reminding us all that the story of our democracy is still being written. Each fair judgment strengthens the Republic; each courageous ruling preserves its soul. Let us, therefore, resolve that the chapters written in our time will be remembered for integrity, courage, and fidelity to the rule of law” he said.
