President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a proposal to the National Assembly seeking the appointment of 110 new justices to the Court of Appeal, a major expansion of Nigeria’s intermediate appellate judiciary aimed at addressing delays and improving the administration of justice nationwide.
The proposal, formally communicated to lawmakers by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, marks one of the largest recommended increases in the Court of Appeal’s composition since its establishment. It comes as concerns persist over backlog in appellate cases including civil, criminal and election matters and the slow pace of adjudication in the nation’s courts.
Under the Constitution, the President has the authority to nominate judicial officers for key courts subject to confirmation by the Senate. The confirmation process typically involves security vetting, screening by the Senate Judiciary Committee and full Senate approval. Upon confirmation, successful nominees will receive judicial commissions and be assigned to divisions of the Court of Appeal across Nigeria.
Judicial officials, legal practitioners and justice sector experts have long cited understaffing at the appellate level as a structural impediment to timely justice. Many cases remain pending for extended periods, leading to criticism that delayed rulings undermine litigants’ rights and erode public confidence in the judiciary. The expansion of the Court of Appeal seeks to alleviate these bottlenecks by increasing the number of judges handling appeals from the Federal High Court, High Courts of States, and adjudicative bodies such as election petitions tribunals.
If confirmed by the Senate, the new justices would help distribute the appellate workload more evenly among the court’s divisions, which are spread across major geo-political zones. Legal analysts say that a larger bench could also provide greater flexibility in panel assignments and improve judicial specialization in complex matters such as constitutional interpretation, governance disputes and high-value commercial litigation.
Observers say the proposal reflects both institutional reform goals and political considerations as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, when election cases especially pre- and post-election litigations are expected to surge. A more capacious appellate bench may be vital in ensuring timely disposition of election disputes and other high-stakes litigation that often shape political outcomes.
The Senate is now expected to initiate its confirmation process, with hearings and screenings of the nominees anticipated in coming weeks. Lawmakers will review candidates’ qualifications, integrity and judicial philosophies before voting on their appointments.
