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The former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, died on December 16, 2025, in Saudi Arabia after a prolonged illness at the age of 71. He was the head of the Nigerian judiciary from 2019 to 2022, when he resigned on health grounds. Following his death, many notable Nigerians have poured encomiums on him, describing him as a gentleman and an accomplished public servant dedicated to public good. To President Bola Tinubu, the deceased was “an eminent jurist whose life was devoted to the cause of justice and the strengthening of Nigeria’s judiciary.” Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State described the death of the former CJN as a great loss to the Nigerian judiciary and Bauchi State in particular.
He further described him as one of Bauchi’s most illustrious sons whose life was defined by honesty, hard work and respect for the rule of law. He further noted that the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) awarded to the late jurist reflected his exceptional service to the nation. Similarly, the Supreme Court of Nigeria noted his “dedication to the rule of law, judicial independence, and the fair administration during his tenure.”
The late jurist was born on December 31, 1953 in Doguwa Giade Local Government Area of Bauchi State. He started his education at Giade Primary School and spent seven years there from 1961 to 1968. Later, he attended Government Secondary School, Azare, where he obtained the West African School Certificate in 1973. In pursuit of higher education, he was admitted to Abdullahi Bayero University College, Kano, in 1975 through the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB).
He spent one year there before being admitted to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where he studied Law from 1976 to 1980. In 1981, he obtained an LLB in Islamic Law and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981 after completing the required period of study at the Nigerian Law School. In 1985, he obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree, and in 1998, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law. In all his pursuit of academic glory, he distinguished himself as a worthy scholar, committed student and a hard-working fellow deserving of a career in the judiciary.
His illustrious career as a judicial officer spanned four decades, during which he served at various levels of Nigeria’s judicial system. He began his judicial career in 1982 with the Bauchi State Judiciary, where he served first as a Magistrate Grade II from 1982 to 1984. Thereafter, he served as a Magistrate Grade 1/Acting Senior Magistrate from 1984 to 1986. In 1986, he became a Senior Magistrate II. Following his exemplary conduct and commitment to duty, he was appointed Provost of the College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Bauchi and served in that capacity from 1986 to 1989.
From 1989 to 1991, he served as Deputy Chief Registrar and Chief Magistrate of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He was later appointed a Judge (Kadi) of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi State, a position he held from 1991 to 1993.In 1993, Justice Muhammad was elevated to the Court of Appeal, where he served until 2006. He was appointed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2006 and sworn in on 7 January 2007. He served at the Supreme Court until his retirement in 2022.
On 25 January 2019, following the suspension of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Justice Tanko Muhammad as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria. He was subsequently nominated, confirmed, and sworn in as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council on 24 July 2019. He served as the 17th Chief Justice of Nigeria from 2019 until 2022. On 27 June 2022, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad resigned from office, citing health reasons.
Following his resignation, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola was appointed Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and was later confirmed as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria. Justice Muhammad was awarded the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) in recognition of his service to the nation. The late jurist will be remembered for his dedicated service to the judiciary and the nation.
