By Henry Umoru
Abuja — The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), the umbrella body of the 36 state governors, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) to advance a people-centred justice agenda across the federation.
The partnership is aimed at promoting accessible, affordable and responsive justice systems in the 36 states, while providing renewed institutional backing for Nigeria’s justice reform efforts.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, the Director-General of the NGF, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, said the agreement marks a transition from years of engagement to a more structured, long-term collaboration focused on delivering measurable outcomes for citizens.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the NGF Director of Media and Strategic Communications, Mr. Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, Shittu explained that the relationship between both institutions predates the MoU, having evolved through sustained, evidence-based engagement on justice reform.
He described the Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Nigeria 2023 Report as a defining milestone in the collaboration, noting that it provides critical insights into how Nigerians experience justice, identifies persistent gaps, and guides more targeted reforms.
According to him, the report has equipped policymakers, practitioners and justice sector stakeholders with credible data to move beyond assumptions and design interventions that respond directly to citizens’ needs.
From Dialogue to Structured Action
The MoU establishes a formal framework for collaboration between the NGF and HiiL, signalling a shift from dialogue to coordinated action.
Dr. Shittu said 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 occur.
He explained that the partnership is anchored on mutual respect, recognition of institutional strengths and a common resolve to improve access to justice through innovation and learning.
“This is not merely a symbolic agreement,” Shittu said, describing the MoU as “a commitment to action, learning, innovation and measurable impact across Nigeria’s justice landscape.”
According to the statement, the NGF’s involvement places state governments at the centre of the reform process, positioning them as laboratories for people-centred justice models that can be adapted to local realities.
“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 strengthening efforts to design justice systems around how people actually experience legal problems, whether related to land, family, commercial disputes or access to basic services,” the statement said.
Dr. Shittu acknowledged HiiL’s technical expertise and global perspective, noting that the organisation’s long-standing engagement in Nigeria has enriched national and subnational justice reform conversations.
According to him, HiiL’s approach focuses on justice outcomes rather than procedures, integrating both formal and informal pathways to justice.
The MoU aligns this approach with the institutional reach of state governments, creating a platform for scaling people-centred justice reforms nationwide.
Under the agreement, both parties committed to working in good faith to expand access to justice through data-driven innovation and collaboration, with specific initiatives to be developed over time within the framework of the MoU.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges related to access to justice, cost, distance and institutional trust, the NGF–HiiL partnership signals a deliberate shift toward citizen-focused solutions.
Dr. Shittu expressed optimism that the collaboration would deliver tangible outcomes for communities, strengthen justice institutions and redefine justice delivery as a service shaped by the real needs of the people it is meant to serve.
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