President Bola Tinubu on Monday charged Nigerian judges to uphold the highest standards of integrity, warning that no amount of judicial reform can succeed if public trust is compromised. The President spoke while declaring open the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja.

Tinubu stressed that the judiciary’s legitimacy rests not only on sound legal reasoning but also on public perception. He noted growing concerns among citizens about delays, access to justice, and questions surrounding judicial integrity, urging judges to confront these issues with sincerity.

“Confidence is the lifeblood of justice,” he said. “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 President emphasised that the judiciary exists for the people and that their faith in the system is crucial to Nigeria’s stability. He urged judicial officers to embody the spirit of the law and remain worthy custodians of national justice.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary through improved welfare, training, independence, and modernisation of infrastructure. He promised continued support for digitising court processes, adopting integrated case management systems, and enhancing the efficiency of judicial operations.

“Our courts must no longer be places where cases languish for years,” he said. “They must become beacons of efficiency where disputes are resolved swiftly and litigants depart with renewed confidence in the rule of law.”

While acknowledging past contributions of the judiciary in stabilising the country during critical moments, Tinubu commended judges for their courage and service.

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, in her remarks, expressed appreciation for the President’s commitment to judicial reforms. She described the conference as a vital platform for reflection, collaboration, and strengthening judicial ethics.

“The temple of justice trembles where justice is denied. We must be a symbol of incorruptible honour,” she said.

The biennial conference was attended by former and serving Chief Justices of Nigeria, Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, Heads of Courts, and judicial officers from across the country.