The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) have set a bold agenda for justice reform in Nigeria, following a high-level Stakeholder Dialogue and Sensitization Workshop on People-Centred Justice (PCJ).
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Held on February 13, 2026, the workshop convened Attorneys General from all 36 states to deliberate on evidence-based strategies for building a justice system that is inclusive, affordable, and community-driven.
The Abuja dialogue represents far more than a single workshop; it signals the beginning of a national movement toward systemic transformation in justice delivery. By convening Attorneys General from all 36 states, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) have laid the groundwork for a justice system that is not only legally sound but also socially responsive, inclusive, and deeply rooted in the everyday realities of citizens.
This transformation is anchored in the recognition that justice is not merely a legal framework—it is a cornerstone of national development, peace-building, and public trust. The discussions in Abuja underscored the urgent need to bridge the gap between citizens’ demand for justice and the formal system’s capacity to deliver timely, affordable, and accessible solutions.
Participants repeatedly emphasized the importance of integrating informal justice mechanisms into the formal system. These community-based pathways—often faster, cheaper, and more culturally attuned—resolve disputes ranging from land ownership to family conflicts. By recognizing and validating these mechanisms, Nigeria can create a justice ecosystem that is holistic and sustainable, ensuring that citizens do not have to choose between accessibility and legitimacy.
As HiiL Country Representative Ijeoma Nwafor noted:
“Justice must be seen as tangible. By providing measurable tools and showcasing successful projects, we can attract international donors and ensure reforms are sustainable. People-centred justice is about recognizing that communities already have solutions, and the formal system must empower and integrate them.”
The NGF’s pilot peace-building commissions in Plateau, Kaduna, and Adamawa were highlighted as proof of concept for non-kinetic approaches to conflict resolution. These commissions, functioning as interconnected networks, have already demonstrated visible results in reducing tensions and fostering reconciliation.
NGF Director-General Abdulateef Shittu emphasized the need to scale these successes:
“Our goal is to extend this model nationwide. The states are expected to take the knowledge back home, adapt it to their peculiar contexts, and implement people-centred justice projects. The NGF Secretariat is ready to partner with states and link them with development partners where necessary.”
Judicial voices added weight to the call for transformation. Prof. Ben Odoh, Attorney General of Ebonyi State, reflected on the evolution of Nigeria’s justice system:
“The justice system we had prior to 2015 was retributive, but now with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act domesticated by the 36 states, we have a justice system that uses reconciliation, restoration, reintegration, and re-institution. That alone is a holistic people-centred system.”
Similarly, Hon. Justice Gboyega Ogunfowora of Ogun State stressed the need to strengthen informal pathways:
“The formal justice sector needs help, and that help can only come from us stimulating and ensuring that the informal justice sector works. By empowering communities, we reduce the burden on courts and make justice more immediate and meaningful.”
The dialogue also highlighted the importance of a whole-of-society approach. Justice reform cannot be confined to the judiciary or legal institutions alone; it requires collaboration across ministries, civil society, and communities. By embedding justice into broader development agendas—such as conflict prevention, economic empowerment, and social cohesion—Nigeria can ensure that reforms are not only legalistic but transformative.
The Abuja workshop marks a pivotal step toward systemic transformation. It sets the stage for:
- Nationwide adoption of peace-building commissions as non-kinetic conflict resolution mechanisms.
- Integration of informal justice systems into formal structures, particularly for land and community disputes.
- Evidence-based reforms guided by HiiL’s Justice Needs and Satisfaction survey.
- Partnerships with international donors and development agencies to secure sustainable funding.
- Renewed public trust in justice institutions, positioning justice as a driver of peace, stability, and national development.
By embracing people-centred justice, Nigeria is charting a path toward a future where justice is not distant or abstract, but accessible, affordable, and meaningful to every citizen. The Abuja dialogue has set the agenda, but the true transformation will unfold as states take ownership, adapt reforms to local realities, and collectively build a justice system that reflects the aspirations of the Nigerian people.
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