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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum (NGF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) to drive accessible, people-centred justice reforms across states.
The MoU, signed at the NGF Secretariat in Abuja, transforms years of talks into concrete action, targeting measurable results for citizens grappling with routine legal issues such as land disputes, family matters, and business conflicts.
NGF Director-General, Abdulateef Shittu, who led the signing, described the MoU as a pivotal step beyond rhetoric. “This is not merely a symbolic agreement,” he said. “It is a commitment to action, learning, innovation, and measurable impact across Nigeria’s justice landscape.”
In a statement issued by NGF’s Director, Media and Strategic Communications, Yunusa Abdullahi, the DG highlighted the Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Nigeria 2023 Report – a joint milestone – as a game-changer, providing data-driven insights into citizens’ justice experiences and gaps. “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,” Shittu added.
According to the statement, as the platform uniting Nigeria’s 36 governors, NGF is turning states into innovation hubs for justice models that merge formal and informal approaches, emphasising affordability, equity, and real grassroots impact.
HiiL’s global expertise, honed through years in Nigeria, complements the NGF’s subnational reach, promising scalable reforms amid chronic issues like high costs, distance, and distrust in justice institutions.
Shittu expressed optimism for tangible results. He said the Forum looks forward to a partnership that delivers outcomes for communities, strengthens institutions, and redefines justice as a service shaped by real people’s needs.
