The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), the umbrella body representing the 36 state governors, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) to promote a people-centred justice agenda across the country.
The collaboration seeks to support the development of justice systems that are accessible, affordable and responsive in all 36 states, while reinforcing institutional support for ongoing justice sector reforms in Nigeria.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony in Abuja, the Director-General of the NGF, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, said the agreement represents a shift from years of engagement to a more organised, long-term partnership focused on achieving measurable benefits for citizens.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the NGF Director of Media and Strategic Communications, Mr. Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, Shittu noted that the relationship between both organisations predates the MoU, having developed through continuous, evidence-based collaboration on justice reform initiatives.
He described the Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Nigeria 2023 Report as a major milestone in the partnership, explaining that it offers valuable insights into how Nigerians experience justice, highlights recurring gaps, and informs more focused reform efforts.
According to him, the report has provided policymakers, practitioners and justice sector stakeholders with reliable data to move away from assumptions and design interventions that directly address the needs of citizens.
From dialogue to structured action
The MoU provides a formal framework for cooperation between the NGF and HiiL, marking a transition from dialogue to coordinated implementation.
Dr. Shittu said the agreement reflects a shared resolve to advance justice that is accessible, affordable, fair and responsive, particularly at the subnational level where most justice-related challenges are encountered.
He explained that the partnership is built on mutual respect, acknowledgment of institutional strengths and a common commitment to improving access to justice through innovation and continuous 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.”
State governments at the centre of justice reform
According to the statement, the NGF’s participation places state governments at the heart of the reform process, positioning them as testing grounds for people-centred justice models adaptable to local contexts.
“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 competence and global outlook, noting that the organisation’s long-standing involvement in Nigeria has enriched both national and subnational justice reform discussions.
According to him, HiiL’s methodology prioritises justice outcomes rather than procedures, integrating both formal and informal pathways to justice.
The MoU aligns this approach with the institutional capacity of state governments, creating opportunities to scale people-centred justice reforms across the federation.
Under the agreement, both parties pledged to work collaboratively and in good faith to expand access to justice through data-driven innovation, with specific initiatives to be developed progressively within the framework of the MoU.
As Nigeria continues to face challenges related to access to justice, cost, distance and institutional trust, the NGF–HiiL partnership signals a conscious move toward citizen-focused solutions.
Dr. Shittu expressed confidence that the collaboration would produce tangible results for communities, strengthen justice institutions and redefine justice delivery as a service shaped by the real needs of the people it is designed to serve.
