The Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Hon. Justice B.A. Adejumo (OFR) has reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to strengthening ethical standards, improving professionalism, deepening technology-driven learning, and enhancing the skills required by judges in today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape.
Justice Adejumo spoke at the opening of the 2025 All Nigeria Judges’ Conference, held at the Andrews Otutu Obaseki Auditorium in Abuja.
He described the event as the most important gathering of judicial officers in the country and a moment for reflection and renewal.
He noted that the conference theme, “Building a Confident Judiciary,” is timely, as public confidence is earned through integrity, courage, discipline and clear reasoning in judgment.
“A judiciary worthy of public trust must remain independent and fearless, ethically grounded and procedurally efficient, technologically prepared for emerging legal complexities, transparent in its operations, and institutionally coherent in its vision.
“Where the judiciary inspires confidence, democracy grows stronger; where it falters, the very foundations of the rule of law are threatened,” he said.
Justice Adejumo highlighted that the NJI has expanded its training programmes to cover cybercrime, digital evidence, electoral matters, anti-corruption law, alternative dispute resolution and complex commercial cases.
These initiatives, he said, are designed to help judges keep pace with new challenges and improve justice delivery.
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He emphasised that “a confident Judiciary is a continuously learning Judiciary,” adding that the National Judicial Institute, established under Section 1 of the National Judicial Institute Act, Cap. N55 LFN 2004 (as amended), continues to fulfil its mandate as the foremost institution for the training and continuing education of judicial officers across Nigeria.
Justice Adejumo said this year’s conference will examine key issues including judicial independence, accountability, case management, court efficiency, technological innovation and the Judiciary’s role in safeguarding democracy.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his presence and for recognising the Judiciary’s central role in governance.
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He also praised the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON, for her leadership and commitment to judicial excellence.
Justice Adejumo urged participants to engage fully in the discussions, noting that the ideas and resolutions emerging from the conference will guide reforms and strengthen public trust in the judiciary.
CJN Calls for a Resilient and Trustworthy Judiciary
Delivering her address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, urged judges across the country to build a confident and resilient judiciary capable of rising above obstacles and delivering justice with integrity, impartiality, and transparency.
Justice Kekere-Ekun further stressed the need for the judiciary to remain steadfast in upholding ethical standards and eliminating systemic inefficiencies that undermine public confidence.
“At this pivotal moment in our nation’s judicial landscape, we must confront the realities that threaten the very foundation of public trust,” she said.
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The CJN noted that the judiciary, as the guardian of democratic stability, must safeguard its independence to maintain both domestic credibility and global respect. “A judiciary that fears public opinion more than the dictates of the law ceases to be the guardian of justice,” she added.
NBA Seeks Stronger Collaboration Among Justice Sector Stakeholders
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), represented by the Association’s General Secretary, Omobolaji Ojibara, called for deeper collaboration between the Bench and the Bar to strengthen the justice sector.
He reaffirmed the NBA’s readiness to support reforms aimed at rebuilding public trust and reinforcing the rule of law.
The 2025 All Nigeria Judges’ Conference, declared open by President Bola Tinubu, brought together legal luminaries from across the country to assess the state of the judiciary and chart new strategies for improving justice delivery.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
