First Lady urges African women judges to champion judicial excellence

… Conference to strengthen public trust in the courts – Justice Dongban-Mensem

By Vivian Okejeme

Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Tuesday, called on women judges across Africa to remain steadfast in their pursuit of judicial excellence.

The first lady described the women’s presence on the Bench as a vital force for broadening perspectives and deepening fairness in the administration of justice.

Senator Tinubu made the charge at the opening ceremony of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) African Regional Conference held at the Body of Benchers Main Hall, Abuja.

Meanwhile, the president of the Appeal Court, Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed confidence that the conference would deepen understanding of the challenges confronting the justice sector and open pathways to innovative solutions capable of promoting judicial excellence and strengthening public confidence in the courts.

The conference was hosted by the National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria, with a theme “Promoting Excellence in the Administration of Justice.”

Delivering her address at the event, which was convened at the invitation of Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the First Lady described the conference theme as timely, noting that societies worldwide are navigating rapid legal, technological, and social change.

“The pursuit of excellence within our justice system remains both an obligation and a moral imperative,” she said, reaffirming the judiciary’s central role in sustaining the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights in a democratic society.

Senator Tinubu paid tribute to African women judges who, through resilience and excellence, have broken through long-standing barriers and opened pathways for future generations of women in the legal profession.

Drawing on her own experience as a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, she acknowledged the systemic challenges women confront in seeking leadership positions.

She reaffirmed her personal commitment to initiatives that promote equitable access to opportunities for women and girls and strengthen democratic governance.

She commended the National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria for hosting the regional gathering, describing their sustained work in advancing judicial excellence and gender equity as an inspiration to both the legal community and the wider public.

Therefore, she urged delegates to use the conference to continue building judicial systems that are transparent, compassionate, and firmly rooted in the rule of law — outcomes she said would deepen public confidence in the courts across the continent.

“As you deliberate over the coming days, I urge you to continue building judicial systems that are transparent, compassionate, and firmly anchored in the rule of law,” she said.

Declaring the conference open, the Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, charged judges across the African continent to prioritise the quality of judicial reasoning and institutional integrity over speed and volume of case disposal, describing these as the true benchmarks of excellence in justice administration.

The CJN gave the charge while delivering a keynote address at the Conference of the International Association of Women Judges in the African Continent, where she also identified impartial, accessible and effective justice as the foundation of peaceful societies, democratic institutions and sustainable development.

“Whenever justice is impartial, accessible and effective, citizens develop confidence in the rule of law; where it is absent, uncertainty and instability inevitably follow,” the Chief Justice declared.

She represented far more than a professional meeting, describing it as “an important platform for reflection, collaboration and renewed commitment to the ideals that define justice service.”
On the standard by which judicial excellence should be measured, Justice Kekere-Ekun was emphatic that raw statistics fell short as a yardstick.

“Excellence in the administration of justice is not measured solely by the number of cases disposed of, or the speed with which judgments are delivered,” she said. “It is measured by the quality of judicial reasoning, the integrity of judicial officers, the fairness, and the confidence that citizens repose in the courts as impartial arbiters of disputes.”

Going further, she stressed that true excellence lay in the capacity of the judiciary to uphold the constitution, protect the vulnerable, preserve the rule of law, and dispense justice without fear, favour, affection or ill will.

While acknowledging the importance of efficiency, Justice Kekere-Ekun said judicial speed must be understood within the broader context of legitimacy, noting that court users held a legitimate expectation that disputes would be resolved both fairly and within a reasonable time.

She described the conference as a powerful catalyst for advancing judicial excellence, promoting gender equality, strengthening institutional integrity, and enhancing the protection of fundamental rights across the continent.
Dongban-Mensem Pledges Commitment to Judicial Capacity, Gender Equality.

Earlier in her welcome address, the President of the Court of Appeal and President of the National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria (NAWJN), Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, said the association, as host of the conference, remained firmly committed to advancing judicial capacity, promoting equality within the judiciary and fostering collaboration among women judges across Africa and beyond.

She noted that platforms such as the conference provided women judges with the opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas and develop strategies that would not only strengthen judicial institutions but also expand opportunities for women within the justice sector.

The conference brought together women judges from across the African continent under the auspices of the International Association of Women Judges, with Nigeria serving as host through the NAWJN.