NGF, HiiL Seal Partnership to Advance People-Centred Justice in Nigeria

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has entered into a formal partnership with the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) to deepen justice sector reforms and promote people-centred justice across Nigeria’s 36 states. The partnership was sealed through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the NGF Secretariat in Abuja, marking a shift from years of engagement between both institutions to a more structured and long-term collaboration focused on measurable outcomes for citizens. Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the NGF, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, said the agreement builds on an existing relationship shaped by sustained, evidence-based dialogue on justice reform. He described the collaboration as timely, given ongoing challenges around access to justice, affordability, and public trust in justice institutions. According to Shittu, a key milestone in the NGF–HiiL relationship was the launch of the Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Nigeria 2023 Report, which he said has provided policymakers and justice sector stakeholders with credible data on how Nigerians experience justice and where critical gaps remain. He noted that the report has helped move reform conversations beyond assumptions, enabling governments and practitioners to design interventions that respond more directly to citizens’ needs. Under the MoU, both organisations will work together to promote justice systems that are accessible, fair, affordable, and responsive, with a particular focus on the subnational level where most justice challenges occur. Shittu explained that the agreement is not intended to be symbolic, but rather a platform for coordinated action, innovation, and learning. “This is a commitment to action and measurable impact across Nigeria’s justice landscape,” he said. The NGF’s role places state governments at the centre of the reform effort. As the coordinating body for Nigeria’s 36 governors, the Forum is expected to use the partnership to position states as testing grounds for people-centred justice models that reflect local realities. The collaboration is also expected to support reforms that strengthen justice institutions while ensuring that legal systems respond to how people experience everyday disputes, including land, family, commercial, and service-related issues. Shittu acknowledged HiiL’s technical expertise and global experience in justice innovation, expressing optimism that research insights generated through the partnership would translate into practical solutions that improve efficiency, inclusion, and trust in justice delivery. A press statement by NGF Director of Media and Strategic Communications, Mr. Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi explains that HiiL has operated in Nigeria for several years and reputed for its people-centred justice approach, which focuses on outcomes rather than procedures and integrates formal and informal justice pathways. It States further that the partnership with the NGF is expected to help scale such approaches across states through stronger institutional alignment. Both parties committed to working in good faith to expand access to justice through data-driven reforms, innovation, and collaboration, with specific initiatives to be developed under the MoU framework. As Nigeria continues to confront long-standing challenges related to justice delivery, observers say the NGF–HiiL partnership signals a renewed effort to place citizens at the centre of justice reform.

AGF Tasks FG, Stakeholders On Review Of Criminal Justice Administration Laws

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, on Tuesday, tasked stakeholders, Attorneys General of States, Civil Society Organizations and International development partners to commit to the effective implementation of all policies, programmes and laws that will lead to a dynamic and efficient criminal justice administration system in the country.  Fagbemi said the FG is committed to ensuring that the criminal justice system of the country is more responsive to the demands of Nigerians for a simple, fast, efficient, effective, fair and trustworthy system for dispensation of justice.  The AGF stated this in his keynote address at a 3-day National Stakeholders’ forum organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Centre for Social-Legal Studies. At the program with the theme, “Review of the Implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and Administration of Criminal Justice Laws of States, AGF noted that the passage of the ACJA by all the 36 States of the Federation have provided a common ground to address the critical issues and challenges confronting Nigeria’s criminal justice system.  “It has provided us a shared platform that would enable us scale up our efforts and seek new practical solutions to identified challenges.  In conducting the review of the ACJA/ACJLs, Fagbemi advised participants to ask questions regarding the nature and workability of the strategic amendments that needed to be done in order to make ACJA/ACJLs respond to critical challenges and needs of the society.  “We need to know what we could have done better, and how much further we need to go to enable us achieve the desired outcome.  “In addition, we will collaborate and work with colleagues in the private and public sectors, including fellow Attorneys-General to develop and agree on a National Minimum Standards that would guide our collective efforts at achieving a more balanced, effective and inclusive system of justice.  “It is expected that criminal justice institutions, anti-corruption agencies and other justice sector operatives will commit to, and observe the prescribed National Minimum Standards.  “My expectation is that at the conclusion of these deliberations, there would be a consensus around developing a strategic plan to guide both the Federal and State Governments in the review and consequent amendment of ACJA and the respective ACJLs of various States. The Justice Minister hinted that ACJA is one of the few key legislations that both the Federal and States Governments share so much common grounds, as with common worries and concerns.  In a goodwill message, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, charged participants at the forum to critically look at the grey areas impeding the implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Act in the country. “If we don’t get it right here at this forum, then the issue of reforms in the Nigerian Correctional Services will remain a mirage. The Interior Minister insisted that getting lasting solutions to the problems facing the country’s judiciary, requires a multi-facet approach and must be through cocktail of ideas. Review will hold every Nigerian have a right and not a right as a privilege.  In her welcome address, the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Jeddy Agba, said the ACJA represents a significant milestone in the country’s judicial landscape, noting that the forum will provide stakeholders with the opportunity to brainstorm, share expertise, make recommendations, and build consensus on way forward in reviewing the ACJA. Prof Yemi Akinseye George SAN, President, Centre for Social-Legal Studies, in his remarks, thanked the AGF for creating the forum for stakeholders and Attorneys General of States to cross fertilize ideas on the ways to review and amend the ACJA and ACJL to enhance criminal justice delivery.