Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has stressed the need for prudent financial management, robust oversight, and digital transformation in strengthening the nation’s judiciary.
Speaking on Monday, at the opening ceremony of a national workshop on the management of judicial financial resources, organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) for Directors of Finance, Deputy Directors, Chief Accountants, Auditors and other judicial finance personnel in Abuja, the CJN said effective monitoring and competent internal financial management structures are indispensable to ensuring the judicious use of judicial resources.
Represented by the NJI Administrator, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, the CJN noted that capacity-building initiatives such as the workshop are essential for enhancing the knowledge, competence and managerial skills of officers responsible for overseeing judicial finances.
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Justice Kekere-Ekun acknowledged recent improvements in the welfare of judicial officers but observed that such gains had not translated into significant improvements in court infrastructure and operations, particularly at the state level.
“Challenges persist, especially at the state levels where judiciaries grapple with budget deficits and reduced allocations that severely impair infrastructure, daily operations and access to justice,” she said, and noted, however, that the focus should not solely be on the volume of available resources but on how effectively they are managed.
She pointed out that several judiciaries across the global south have successfully modernised their justice systems despite tight budgetary constraints by embracing digital technologies such as electronic filing, electronic case registries and automated case-flow management.
According to her, such innovations must be driven by apex courts to provide templates for lower courts.
Justice Kekere-Ekun highlighted the recent implementation of the Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS) at the Supreme Court, alongside the Supreme Court Practice Directions 2026, which require the electronic upload of court processes and records.
She described the initiative as a significant step towards achieving a fully digitised registry and a more efficient, technology-driven judicial system.
“When funding, technology and personnel are effectively deployed, justice delivery is expedited, executive leverage is curtailed and public trust is strengthened. Conversely, mismanagement leads to backlogs, delays and compromised institutional independence,” she stated.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the NJI Administrator, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, said the effective administration of justice depends not only on sound judicial decisions but also on the strength of the institutional systems supporting the courts.
He described sound financial management as one of the judiciary’s indispensable pillars, noting that prudent budgeting, transparent accounting, responsible procurement, efficient resource allocation, and effective financial oversight are fundamental to the success of every judicial institution.
Justice Adejumo welcomed participants entrusted with managing judicial finances, describing the workshop as a crucial platform for strengthening accountability, transparency and efficiency in the administration of the nation’s courts.