President Bola Tinubu, on Monday in Abuja, urged judges to uphold the sanctity of their profession by safeguarding integrity, noting that the public’s perception of them is poor.

Declaring the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference open at the National Judicial Institute, Mr Tinubu noted that the public perception of the Bench should be of utmost concern, particularly in protecting the nation’s democracy.

The president stated that the theme of the biennial conference was particularly timely, reflecting the prevailing perception in the country, and assured that the government would support the judiciary.

“The theme of this year’s conference, ‘Building a Confident Judiciary’, 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.

“We must acknowledge, with candour, that public perception of the judicial process has not always been favourable. Citizens have expressed frustration at delays, concerns about integrity, and anxiety over access to justice,” the president explained.

He added, “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,” he added.

Mr Tinubu stated that judges must uphold the spirit of the law, pointing out that “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,” the president stated.

Mr Tinubu urged judges to always consider the larger picture of a united and more prosperous nation when carrying out their responsibilities.

“In this regard, I wish to reaffirm, with clarity and conviction, the unwavering commitment of my administration to supporting the Judiciary in fulfilling its constitutional mandate. My administration believes that a judiciary that is strong in capacity, efficient in processes, and uncompromising in integrity is not merely desirable; it is indispensable to the survival of our democracy and the prosperity of our nation.

“We cannot build a just society without a fearless and functional Judiciary. In this spirit, we have resolved to provide the institutional and material support that will enable our courts to perform their duties with dignity, confidence, and efficiency.

“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 president stated.