NGF, HiiL unite to advance community-based justice reforms
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing community-based justice reforms across Nigeria. The commitment was reiterated in
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing community-based justice reforms across Nigeria.
The commitment was reiterated in Abuja on Sunday during a stakeholder dialogue on People-Centred Justice (PCJ), attended by Attorneys General from the 36 states of the federation.
Speaking at the event, NGF Director-General Abdulateef Shittu underscored the critical role of state Attorneys General in driving justice sector reforms, noting that they were pivotal to the success of the initiative in their respective states.
“Today’s dialogue is designed to enable states to share ideas, experiences, and lessons on justice sector reforms. We want to see justice not just as a sector, but as a driver of peace, development, and trust,” Shittu said.
He noted that peace-building commissions established in Plateau, Kaduna and Adamawa states were already functioning as a network, delivering results through non-kinetic approaches to conflict resolution.
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“It is time to extend this model to all 36 states. Our secretariat is committed to supporting states in adapting reforms to their unique contexts and linking them with development partners to ensure sustainability,” he added.
HiiL Country Representative, Ijeoma Nwafor, emphasised the importance of measurable outcomes in justice reform.
“Justice reforms often struggle to attract funding because outcomes are seen as intangible. However, with people-centred justice, we can demonstrate real impact,” Nwafor said.
She explained that HiiL’s tools, guidelines, pilot programmes and strategy documents were designed to show donors and policymakers that justice outcomes could be measured, tracked and improved.
Nwafor further stressed that people-centred justice promotes the recognition and integration of informal justice mechanisms within the formal system.
“This is particularly important in land disputes, where informal resolutions are faster and cheaper. By integrating them into the formal system, we make justice more accessible and sustainable,” she said.
Chairman of the Body of State Attorneys General and Attorney General of Ebonyi State, Ben Odoh, reflected on the evolution of Nigeria’s justice system.
Odoh noted that prior to 2015, the justice system was largely retributive, but with the domestication of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act by all 36 states, it had evolved into one focused on reconciliation, restoration, reintegration and re-institution.
“That alone represents a holistic, people-centred justice system,” he said.
A High Court judge in Ogun State, Gboyega Ogunfowora, reiterated the need to strengthen informal justice mechanisms to complement the formal justice sector.
“The formal justice sector needs help, and that help can only come from stimulating and ensuring that the informal justice sector works,” Ogunfowora said.
“By empowering communities, we reduce the burden on courts and make justice more immediate and meaningful,” he added.
Other participants echoed similar views, stressing that justice must be brought closer to the people, with reforms tailored to local realities. They also emphasised the need for collaboration across ministries, agencies and communities.
The Attorneys General pledged to take lessons from the dialogue back to their states, adapt them to local contexts and implement reforms that prioritise citizens’ everyday justice needs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high-level workshop set the stage for more collaborative, inclusive and accessible justice solutions nationwide.
The dialogue followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NGF and HiiL, cementing a shared vision to transform Nigeria’s justice landscape.
Central to the discussions was HiiL’s Justice Needs and Satisfaction (JNS) survey, which highlights the scale of unresolved justice problems across the country. The survey revealed that millions of Nigerians continue to rely on informal justice pathways due to challenges of accessibility, affordability and timeliness within the formal justice system.
