For two days last week, Chief Registrars of courts across the country converged in Abuja to critically examine the state of court administration in Nigeria and map out strategies for building a more efficient system capable of guaranteeing effective justice delivery, reports Assistant Editor ERIC IKHILAE.
Courts may be defined by the judgments they deliver, but they are sustained by the systems that make those judgments possible.
At the heart of every functioning court lies its registry, an often unseen but indispensable nerve centre without which the wheels of justice would grind to a halt.
No court system can operate effectively without a well-organised registry, staffed by trained, motivated professionals and coordinated by a Chief Registrar who serves as the administrative head of the court.
It was this central but frequently under-appreciated role of court registries that took centre stage at a two-day strategic retreat organised by the Committee of Chief Registrars of Nigeria (CCRN).
The retreat, held in Abuja between January 21 and 22, 2026, brought together judges, lawyers and court administrators to confront the growing demands on the judiciary and the urgent need to strengthen court administration nationwide.
Its theme was: “Strengthening court administration, financial accountability and staff well-being for a more effective Judiciary in Nigeria.”
The retreat provided a platform to assess the state of court administration in the country and identify practical pathways for reform.
Why the gathering?
The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Chairman of the CCRN, Kabir Akanbi, set the tone for the retreat by explaining that the gathering was designed as an opportunity for participants “to reflect, to refine and to realign” court administration across the country.
According to him, Nigeria’s judiciary is currently under heightened public scrutiny, a reality that demands unwavering transparency and accountability from those who manage its administrative machinery.
Such expectations, he said, can only be met through reforms that are measurable, sustainable and credible.
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“This is a moment of both challenge and opportunity, where decisive action can shape the future of our courts and reinforce public confidence in the Judiciary,” Akanbi noted.
He commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for directing the revival of the CCRN after years of inactivity.
In its early years, he recalled, the committee served as a vital platform for harmonising administrative practices and ensuring institutional consistency across courts nationwide.
According to Akanbi, the CCRN once functioned as a forum where constitutional ideals were translated into administrative standards that supported justice delivery.
However, he regretted that its prolonged inactivity created a vacuum, leading to divergent practices across courts and widening administrative disparities that undermined a unified vision of court administration.
Looking ahead
With the committee now revived, Akanbi said the CCRN intends to achieve several key milestones within the shortest possible time.
Foremost among these is the establishment of standardised administrative practices that promote fairness, efficiency and national uniformity across courts.
The committee also plans to deepen financial integrity and procurement transparency in order to reinforce public trust in the management of judicial resources.
Beyond systems and structures, Akanbi stressed the importance of human capital. “We will strengthen staff welfare, motivation and professional competence, recognising that justice is delivered by people, not institutions alone,” he said.
Other priorities include enhancing collaboration across courts to ensure a coordinated and cohesive justice system, as well as reaffirming judicial independence as a constitutional safeguard essential to democracy and the rule of law.
Court administrators and an effective justice system
The critical role of registrars and other court administrative staff was underscored by Justice Kekere-Ekun and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), both of whom described them as the engine room of the court system.
According to the CJN, Chief Registrars are the administrative anchors of the courts.
“You are custodians of records, stewards of resources, and the critical interface between the Bench, court users and the public,” she said.
She added that their responsibilities lie at the intersection of law, administration and policy, demanding discretion, competence, innovation and unwavering fidelity to the values of justice.
“The efficiency of our courts is, in no small measure, a reflection of your leadership,” she stressed.
Echoing this view, Fagbemi noted that while judges are the visible custodians of justice, registrars constitute its institutional backbone.
As the gateway to the courts, he said, registrars are the first point of engagement for litigants, legal practitioners and the public.
Through the preparation of cause lists, processing of filings, custody of court records, issuance of court processes and coordination between the Bench and court users, registrars ensure the seamless operation of the judicial system.
“Indeed, without your efficiency and professionalism, the machinery of justice cannot function,” the AGF said, adding that where registries falter, the administration of justice is inevitably impeded.
Fagbemi further observed that registrars stand at the critical intersection where constitutional provisions meet practical reality for ordinary Nigerians seeking justice.
He emphasised that the credibility of the judiciary rests not only on judgments delivered, but also on the integrity and efficiency of its administration.
Rethinking court administration for effective justice delivery
In addressing the way forward, Justice Kekere-Ekun, Fagbemi and former Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Babatunde Fashola, all stressed the necessity of continuous reform.
The CJN highlighted the inevitability of integrating technology and judicial automation into court administration.
Modern courts, she argued, must embrace digital tools that enhance efficiency, transparency and access to justice, while remaining anchored in due process and data integrity.
“Technology, when properly deployed, is not a disruption, but an enabler of judicial excellence,” she said.
Fagbemi emphasised the need for continuous professional development, noting that registry work is rapidly evolving.
Electronic case management, digital filing platforms, financial technology integration and data security now require competencies that were unnecessary just a few years ago.
“What was sufficient knowledge five years ago is inadequate today,” he warned.
He also advocated a review of the role of registrars to allow them perform certain procedural and quasi-judicial functions, as is the case in other jurisdictions.
In the United Kingdom, he noted, registrars can refuse non-compliant documents and make procedural decisions on time limits.
Canadian registrars can extend time limits, while American court clerks enter default judgments in uncontested matters.
“Within our constitutional framework, we must consider how Nigerian registrars can be similarly empowered to handle procedural matters decisively, allowing judges to focus on substantive legal questions,” he said.
Accountability, welfare and reform
The AGF also stressed the importance of financial accountability, noting that court registries collect substantial revenues and that transparent management of such funds is both an administrative and constitutional obligation.
He revealed that clearer provisions on registrars’ responsibilities and accountability would be pursued in future constitutional amendments.
Fagbemi added that technology offers opportunities for automated receipting and real-time financial tracking, while also drawing attention to the link between staff welfare and court performance.
“Invest in your people, and they will protect and enhance the registry’s role in the justice system,” he said.
Fashola, for his part, called for amendments to relevant laws and rules to empower registrars with limited judicial authority.
He argued that such reforms would allow judges to devote more time to complex hearings, rather than being burdened with routine procedural tasks.
He criticised the outdated Supreme Court Act of 1960, pointing to its silence on registrar qualifications, delegated judicial powers, accountability structures and digital case management.
Drawing from international examples, Fashola advocated the professionalisation of the registrar cadre, insisting that only qualified legal practitioners should occupy the position.
“The registrar is more than an administrative officer; it is a quasi-judicial position,” he said, recommending a minimum of two years post-qualification experience.
On financial integrity, Fashola proposed transparent budgeting systems, independent audit units and registrar-led procurement boards.
He urged the CCRN to develop a robust anti-corruption architecture, including ethics training, whistle-blower protection, rotation policies and audit trails.
He also raised concerns about remuneration, questioning whether existing welfare packages reflect the responsibilities and economic realities faced by registrars.
“They must be paid living wages commensurate with their indispensable role in the administration of justice,” he said.
