NGF, law firm partner on people-centred justice agenda

Nigeria’s justice reform drive is gaining renewed institutional backing as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) formally sealed a partnership aimed at embedding people-centred justice across the 36 States of the Federation.

Speaking at the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HiiL in Abuja recently, NGF Director-General, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, said that the agreement marks a transition from years of engagement to a more structured, long-term collaboration focused on measurable outcomes for Citizens.

According to Dr. Shittu, the relationship between both institutions predates the signing, having evolved through sustained, evidence-based engagement around justice reform.

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He pointed to the launch of the Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Nigeria 2023 Report as a defining milestone, describing it as a critical resource for understanding how Nigerians experience justice, where gaps persist, and how reforms can be better targeted.

The report, he said, 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.

From Dialogue to Structured Action
The newly signed MoU establishes a formal framework for collaboration between the NGF and HiiL, signalling an intention to move from dialogue to coordinated action.

Dr. Shittu emphasised 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 noted that 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, the agreement is designed as a platform for experimentation, adaptation, and impact.

“This is not merely a symbolic agreement,” Dr. Shittu said, describing it as a commitment to action, learning, innovation, and measurable impact across Nigeria’s justice landscape.

He explained that NGF’s involvement 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.

By partnering with HiiL, the NGF is positioning states as laboratories for people-centred justice models that can be adapted to local realities.

The partnership 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, 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 translate research insights into practical solutions that improve trust, efficiency, and inclusion in justice delivery.

According to a statement issued by NGF’s Director, Media & Strategic Communications, Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, 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 commit to working in good faith to advance their shared goal of expanding access to justice, leveraging data, innovation, and collaboration.

Specific initiatives are expected to be developed over time under the broader framework established by the MoU.

As Nigeria grapples with long-standing challenges around access to justice, cost, distance, and institutional trust, the NGF–HiiL partnership signals a deliberate shift toward solutions that place citizens at the centre of reform.

Dr. Shittu also said that the Forum looks forward to a partnership that delivers tangible outcomes for communities, strengthens justice institutions, and redefines justice delivery as a service shaped by the real needs of the people it is meant to serve.