Ex-CJN Tanko Muhammad Passes Away at 71

Nigeria’s judicial community has been plunged into mourning following the death of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, who passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. The retired jurist died at a hospital in Saudi Arabia, just two weeks shy of his 72nd birthday. His passing marks the end of a legal career that spanned over four decades and saw him ascend to the highest seat in the nation’s judiciary.

The news of his demise was confirmed through a solemn condolence statement issued in Abuja by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS). In the tribute titled NAMLAS Condolence Message on the Passing of Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, the association expressed profound grief, describing his death as a “monumental loss” not only to the legal profession but to the entire country and the Muslim Ummah. “Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return,” the statement added, echoing the gravity of the departure of such a high-profile figure.

Justice Tanko Muhammad’s tenure as Chief Justice was both historic and marked by significant transitions. He took the reins of the Supreme Court in January 2019, initially in an acting capacity following the suspension of his predecessor, before being confirmed as the substantive 18th Chief Justice of Nigeria in July 2019. Known for his deep roots in both Sharia and Common Law, his leadership of the apex court was characterized by his commitment to the administration of justice across Nigeria’s complex legal landscape. He eventually resigned from office in June 2022, citing health challenges, which cleared the way for his successor, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Tributes have begun to pour in from across the political and legal spectrum, acknowledging the late jurist’s service to the nation. Beyond his judicial rulings, Justice Muhammad was often noted for his reserved and humble demeanor. Born in Giade, Bauchi State, on December 31, 1953, he rose through the ranks from a Magistrate to a Justice of the Court of Appeal, and eventually to the Supreme Court in 2006. His death in Saudi Arabia, where he had reportedly been for medical attention, brings a close to the chapter of one of Nigeria’s most prominent legal minds of the last two decades.