Governors Partner Global Body To Improve Access To Justice

Nigeria’s justice reform drive is gaining renewed institutional backing as state governors, under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), have partnered with the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) to deepen a people-centred justice agenda across the country.

According to a statement signed by the NGF director of media, Yunusa Abdullahi, the partnership was formalised recently at the NGF Secretariat in Abuja with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking what the Forum described as a transition from years of engagement to a more structured, long-term collaboration focused on measurable outcomes for citizens.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Director-General of the NGF, Dr Abdulateef Shittu, said the agreement reflects an evolution of an already existing relationship between both institutions, which had been built through sustained, evidence-based engagement around justice reform.

According to him, the relationship predates the MoU, having developed through continuous collaboration anchored on data and practical insights into Nigeria’s justice system.

He identified the launch of the Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Nigeria 2023 Report as a defining milestone in that engagement, describing the report as a critical resource for understanding how Nigerians experience justice, where gaps persist, and how reforms can be more effectively targeted.

Dr Shittu noted that the report has provided policymakers, practitioners and justice sector stakeholders with credible data to move beyond assumptions and design interventions that respond more directly to citizens’ needs.

Under the newly signed MoU, the NGF and HiiL have established a formal framework for collaboration, signalling a deliberate move from dialogue to coordinated action. Dr Shittu explained that the agreement reflects a shared commitment to promoting justice that is accessible, affordable, fair and responsive, particularly at the subnational level where most justice challenges are encountered.

He said the partnership is anchored on mutual respect, recognition of institutional strengths and a shared resolve to improve access to justice through innovation and learning. Rather than being symbolic, he stressed that the MoU is designed as a platform for experimentation, adaptation and impact.

The involvement of the NGF places state governments at the centre of the reform effort. As the coordinating platform for Nigeria’s 36 governors, the Forum plays a pivotal role in shaping subnational policy priorities. Through the partnership with HiiL, the NGF is positioning states as laboratories for people-centred justice models that can be adapted to local realities.

The collaboration is expected to support reforms that strengthen institutions while ensuring that justice systems are designed around how people actually experience legal problems, whether related to land, family matters, commercial disputes or access to basic services.

Dr. Shittu acknowledged HiiL’s technical expertise and global perspective, noting that the organisation’s sustained engagement has enriched both national and subnational conversations on justice reform. He expressed optimism that the partnership would help translate research insights into practical solutions that improve trust, efficiency and inclusion in justice delivery.

HiiL, which has worked in Nigeria for several years, promotes people-centred justice by focusing on outcomes rather than procedures and by integrating formal and informal justice pathways. The MoU with the NGF aligns this approach with the institutional reach of state governments, creating a channel for scaling reforms across the federation.

Under the agreement, both parties committed to working in good faith to advance their shared goal of expanding access to justice, leveraging data, innovation and collaboration. While specific initiatives are expected to be developed over time, the MoU provides a broad framework for sustained cooperation.