The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) has brought together key justice sector stakeholders to tackle one of Nigeria’s most persistent challenges: making justice work for everyone.
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At a one-day conference titled “Implementing People-Centred Justice: The Nigerian Story” held on August 7 at the Abuja Continental Hotel judges, government officials, traditional rulers, civil society leaders, and international partners explored how to close the country’s widening justice gap through data-driven, locally-rooted solutions.
HiiL’s newly released 2025 Justice Needs and Satisfaction (JNS) Report paints a sobering picture: over 90% of Nigerians encounter at least one legal problem within a four-year period ranging from domestic violence and land disputes to workplace conflicts. But cost, complexity, and distance often push citizens toward informal avenues such as community elders or family negotiations rather than formal courts. Alarmingly, 30% reported experiencing domestic violence, underscoring a critical gap in legal protection.
“People aren’t asking for miracles they’re asking for justice that works,” said Zainab Malik, HiiL’s Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor, in her opening remarks. “That means justice that is fast, fair, effective, and affordable.”
“Justice is not the law” — Prince Adebayo
Delivering the keynote address, His Excellency Prince Adewole Adebayo lawyer, public servant, and advocate for reform challenged the audience to rethink long-held assumptions.
“Justice is not the law. The law is merely a tool that can lead to justice or not,” he said, stressing that legal systems must reflect local realities, protect human dignity, and address root causes of societal problems like poverty and exclusion.
Local Innovations, National Potential
The conference showcased pioneering Nigerian models already making an impact:
- Hon. Justice Olugboyega Ogunfowora introduced Ibi Isadi, a justice hub embedded in health centres, reframing legal support as a community service.
- Magistrate Rebecca Kuwot Suku shared her initiative to prevent monetary disputes through simple contracts in local languages emphasising non-digital, practical solutions for vulnerable citizens.
- Evangelist Michael O. Ikoku, inspired by his family’s own injustice, launched free radio-based dispute resolution programs and is now HiiL’s first social impact investor in Nigeria, spearheading Community Justice Centres.
Providing a federal perspective, Hon. Bashir Maidugu, SSA to the President, called for simpler legal language, accessibility for all, and integration of community-based justice into the national framework.
From Dialogue to Action
The event’s breakout sessions focused on four pillars Guidelines, Innovation, National Strategy, and Data producing concrete recommendations for reform.
Closing the conference, Mr. Fernandez Marcus-Obiene, SSA to the President on Justice Sector Reform and ICT/Digital Innovation, stressed collective responsibility:
“The government alone cannot make things work. Implementation is everything. Let us all deliberately take action for good to improve our justice sector.”
HiiL reaffirmed its commitment to working with Nigerian partners to turn these ideas into measurable improvements in justice delivery ensuring that policy conversations lead to tangible change.
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