Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s justice sector have called for far-reaching reforms to strengthen court administration, enhance financial accountability, and improve staff welfare across the judiciary.
Speaking at the 2026 Strategic Retreat of the Committee of Chief Registrars of Nigeria in Abuja, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; and former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, underscored the urgent need for institutional renewal. The retreat was themed: “Strengthening Court Administration, Financial Accountability and Staff Well-Being for a More Effective Judiciary in Nigeria.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun described court administration as “governance in action,” warning that weak structures result in delayed justice, diminished public trust, and reduced institutional effectiveness. She stressed that judicial credibility rests not only on sound judgments but also on transparent processes, prudent financial management, and the welfare of judicial staff.
“Our courts are the heartbeat of the justice system. Where accountability is absent, confidence erodes; and where staff welfare is neglected, institutional effectiveness is compromised,” she noted.
The CJN further emphasized that financial accountability is both a statutory and moral obligation, essential to safeguarding judicial independence. She urged chief registrars, as custodians of records and stewards of judicial resources, to embrace technology-driven reforms, including digital case management and judicial automation, as enablers of efficiency and transparency.
In his remarks, AGF Lateef Fagbemi described chief registrars as the “institutional backbone” of the judiciary, noting their pivotal role as the first point of contact for court users. He warned that lapses in registry operations inevitably impede justice delivery.
Fagbemi advocated continuous professional development, citing the rapid evolution of court administration through electronic filing, financial technology, and data security systems. He cautioned that failure to adapt could render judicial officers professionally obsolete.
He also urged consideration of expanded procedural authority for registrars, drawing on comparative examples from other common law jurisdictions:
UK registrars can reject non-compliant documents and make procedural rulings without oral hearings.
Canadian registrars extend time limits and excuse procedural non-compliance.
According to him, empowering Nigerian registrars with similar authority would ease judges’ workload and accelerate justice delivery.
Delivering the keynote, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, called for a complete overhaul of the Supreme Court Act, noting its silence on delegated judicial powers, accountability structures, and digital registry provisions. He argued that registrars should be groomed for eventual judicial elevation, as their administrative experience provides a strong foundation for judicial office.
Fashola also urged evaluation of the financial cost of judicial time, lamenting that cases often take an average of 15 years to traverse Nigeria’s three-tier judicial hierarchy. He stressed the need for an enabling environment that empowers registrars to administer courts effectively.
