Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, has died at the age of 71. He passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in a hospital in Saudi Arabia, where he had been receiving medical treatment after a series of health challenges.
Justice Tanko Muhammad had struggled with health issues for several years, a situation that became public in June 2022 when he resigned from office as Chief Justice, citing ill health. His resignation came earlier than expected and led to his withdrawal from public life as he focused on medical care, much of it outside the country.
Following the announcement of his death, the legal community across Nigeria has been thrown into mourning. The Nigerian Bar Association, senior advocates, judges, and legal practitioners have described his passing as a huge loss to the judiciary. Many noted that he dedicated decades of his life to the legal profession, rising through the ranks to the highest judicial office in the country.
Senior lawyers have praised his deep knowledge of the law and his role in shaping key judicial decisions while serving on the Supreme Court and later as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 2019 to 2022. Judicial officers also acknowledged the challenges he faced during his tenure, especially leading the judiciary during a period of intense public scrutiny and institutional pressure.
Several legal bodies described him as a symbol of service and resilience, noting that despite his health struggles, he remained committed to the ideals of justice and the rule of law until he could no longer continue. Tributes continue to pour in from courts, law firms, and legal associations, with many calling for his legacy to be remembered within Nigeria’s legal history.
Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad’s death marks the end of a long judicial journey and leaves a significant void within the Nigerian legal community.
