CJN Urges Policy Reforms to Safeguard Judges’ Wellbeing to Sustain Quality Judgments
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere‑Ekun, has called on all Heads of Courts across the country to formulate and implement policies that will promote the mental wellbeing of judges.
Justice Kekere‑Ekun stressed that both physical and mental health are indispensable to sustaining the quality of judicial decisions and the overall effectiveness of judicial officers in the discharge of their constitutional duties.
She made this call while delivering her remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Roundtable for Heads of Courts, organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja. The CJN noted that it was encouraging to see the global judicial community increasingly prioritising the wellbeing of judges.
According to her, judicial leadership requires renewed attention to the welfare of officers of the Bench, given the immense demands of the work, which call for deep concentration, discipline, and emotional balance.
The CJN expressed satisfaction that the agenda for the Roundtable included a dedicated session on wellness, stress management, and healthy living, emphasising that a strong and effective judiciary begins with judges who are mentally alert and physically sound.
She referenced the Nauru Declaration on Judicial Wellbeing, adopted in 2023, and the subsequent designation of July 25 as the International Day of Judicial Wellbeing, as evidence of the universal recognition that judicial health is integral to independence, ethical decision‑making, and quality justice delivery.
Justice Kekere‑Ekun further urged that Nigeria’s judiciary must reflect the principles of the declaration through deliberate policies and supportive environments that enable judicial officers to thrive both personally and professionally.
Speaking on the theme of the Roundtable, “Leading for Change and Building a Stronger Judiciary,” the CJN described it as timely and apt, noting that it calls for deep reflection on the responsibilities of judges as custodians of justice, stewards of the Constitution, and leaders of one of the most vital state institutions.
She emphasised that the judiciary remains the cornerstone of democracy and the last refuge of the common man, but warned that the evolving realities of technology, governance, and society demand a judiciary that is proactive, visionary, and responsive. She added that leadership must be adaptive, innovative, and rooted in integrity, while reforms must continue to enhance efficiency, transparency, and public confidence in the justice system.
In his welcome address, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, underscored the importance of judges staying abreast of emerging trends, embracing innovation, and adopting best practices. He stressed that collaboration among Heads of Courts fosters synergy, eliminates bottlenecks, and strengthens the integrity of the judicial system, which is essential for effective justice delivery.
