The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged judicial librarians and library officers across the country to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and modern digital tools to elevate legal research and keep judicial records up to date.
Speaking at the opening of the Biennial National Workshop for Judicial Librarians and Library Officers at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized that judicial libraries must evolve with the ongoing digital transformation sweeping the legal sector.
She described judicial libraries as the “intellectual nerve centres of the courts,” underscoring their critical role in ensuring well-informed judgments anchored on statute, precedent, and emerging legal trends.
According to the CJN, hybrid systems combining traditional print materials with cloud-based databases, AI-assisted legal research tools, and blockchain-backed systems are now standard practice globally and must be adopted locally.
“The incorporation of artificial intelligence, cloud-based databases, blockchain technology, and assisted legal research tools has revolutionised the way legal information is processed and utilised,” she said.
She added that the role of judicial librarians now extends beyond organizing books, requiring them to manage digitised resources, maintain secure databases, and build competencies in cybersecurity and AI research platforms.
However, she cautioned that while AI offers vast opportunities, its deployment must be guided by strong ethical standards, confidentiality, impartiality, and accuracy to preserve the integrity of the judiciary.
The Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Salisu Abdullahi, described the workshop as a commitment to strengthening the justice system through knowledge, noting that judicial libraries must continue to evolve to meet growing demands.
