The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has said the Nigerian Judiciary is embracing digital transformation and institutional reforms to reduce delays in justice delivery, improve court administration and strengthen public confidence in the judicial system.
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Kekere-Ekun said the increasing demands on the courts had made it necessary for the Judiciary to move away from traditional methods of conducting judicial business and adopt technology-driven processes capable of improving efficiency, accountability and access to justice.
She spoke on Thursday while delivering the convocation lecture at the 10th and 11th combined convocation ceremony of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State.
The lecture was titled, “Beyond the Walls: Mentorship, Service and Excellence as Foundations for Meaningful Success.”
The CJN said that since assuming office, she had placed considerable emphasis on modernising judicial processes, strengthening institutions and promoting the responsible use of technology in the administration of justice.
She identified the Nigerian Case Management System, electronic filing and improved judicial information systems as major components of the Judiciary’s digital transformation agenda.
“Since assuming office as Chief Justice of Nigeria, I have placed considerable emphasis on the modernisation of judicial processes, institutional strengthening and the responsible use of technology to improve the administration of justice.
“Our digital transformation agenda is an important part of this effort. The development and implementation of the Nigerian Case Management System represents a significant step towards a more coordinated and efficient approach to the management of judicial proceedings.
“Through electronic filing, digital case management and improved judicial information systems, we are working towards a justice delivery framework that is more responsive to the needs of litigants, legal practitioners and judicial officers,” she said.
Kekere-Ekun stressed that the reforms were not simply about introducing technology into court operations, but about addressing practical problems affecting justice delivery.
“The objective is not simply to introduce technology for its own sake. It is to address practical challenges in the administration of justice, improve the management of cases, reduce avoidable delays and strengthen public confidence in the judicial process,” she stated.
She, however, cautioned that technology must be accompanied by adequate safeguards in areas including data protection, cybersecurity, judicial independence and the integrity of court processes.
The CJN also disclosed that the Judiciary was placing emphasis on recruiting young professionals with knowledge of modern information technology to support the digital transformation programme.
She said the reforms extended beyond technology to institutional strengthening, accountability and continuous professional development for judicial officers and supporting personnel.
According to her, the Judiciary, like every other institution, must be prepared to examine its existing methods and adapt to changing circumstances.
“What was considered adequate yesterday may no longer be sufficient today,” she said.
Reflecting on her career, Kekere-Ekun recalled her participation in reforms at the Lagos State High Court, including the introduction of front-loading of court processes, pre-trial conferences, witness statements on oath and greater use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
She said the reforms were intended to improve efficiency and prevent court procedures from becoming obstacles to genuine claims.
“Court procedures should facilitate the fair and timely determination of disputes, rather than become unnecessary obstacles to the resolution of genuine grievances,” she said.
Kekere-Ekun maintained that the ultimate purpose of judicial reforms was to ensure that the justice system remained responsive to the needs of the people.
She noted that every case before a court involved individuals whose rights, liberty, property, family or livelihood could be affected by the outcome.
The CJN, however, stressed that institutional reform would not succeed without integrity on the part of those entrusted with public responsibilities.
“If there is one quality that must accompany every other achievement, it is integrity. You may occupy positions of considerable influence and enjoy the confidence of important people.
“Yet, if you cannot be trusted, the foundation upon which your achievements rest will remain fragile,” she said.
She said judicial independence and impartiality were fundamentally dependent on integrity, adding that public confidence in the courts rested on the fairness, competence and impartiality with which judicial responsibilities were discharged.
According to her, integrity required the courage to resist improper pressure, acknowledge mistakes, honour commitments and remain faithful to established ethical standards.
“It requires courage to resist improper pressure, particularly where doing so may involve personal inconvenience or the loss of an immediate advantage,” she said.
Kekere-Ekun urged the graduating students to make integrity non-negotiable from the beginning of their professional careers.
“Establish your standards now. The small decisions you make today will influence the kind of professional you become tomorrow,” she advised.
She identified preparation, discipline and integrity as closely related qualities on which excellence rested, stressing that success should not be measured only by professional titles, material possessions, financial achievements or social recognition.
The CJN also urged graduates to embrace continuous learning and acquire additional skills to remain relevant in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, digital communication and emerging technologies.
“To be competitive, do not rest on your laurels. You must be prepared to acquire additional skills, question established assumptions and adapt to changing circumstances,” she said.
On mentorship, Kekere-Ekun said no individual achieved anything of lasting value entirely through personal effort and stressed the importance of learning from experienced people and later extending similar guidance to younger generations.
She recalled her experience as a newly appointed judge of the Lagos State High Court in 1996 and said the work ethic and example of former Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Rosaline Omotosho, influenced her professional development.
She also cited Justice Dolapo Akinsanya as an example of judicial courage and independence, particularly through her decision declaring the Interim National Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan illegal.
The CJN further described education as both a personal achievement and a social responsibility, urging lawyers, engineers, technology professionals, accountants and health practitioners to use their knowledge and skills to address challenges confronting the country.
She also urged young Nigerians who travel abroad for education or professional opportunities not to lose sight of their responsibility to Nigeria.
“Nigeria will not make the progress we desire if those equipped with knowledge, skills and opportunities choose to remain elsewhere and devote their talents exclusively to the development of other societies,” she said.
Kekere-Ekun urged those who travel abroad for further studies or professional exposure to return with the knowledge and experience needed to contribute to changing the country’s development narrative.
She also commended the founder and visitor of Elizade University, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, for investing in human capital through the establishment of the institution.
Kekere-Ekun urged the university to sustain its aspiration of producing entrepreneurial, innovative and ethical graduates, warning that technical competence without integrity could undermine the progress of individuals and institutions.
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