Nigeria’s legal community is renewing calls for far-reaching reforms to the country’s justice system as longstanding problems, including slow trials, overcrowded correctional facilities and outdated legal frameworks, continue to undermine public confidence. At a series of recent forums, senior lawyers, judicial scholars and rights advocates warned that the system’s structural weaknesses are hurting citizens, discouraging investment and eroding the rule of law.

The concerns follow years of growing frustration over congested court dockets, prolonged pretrial detention and recurring cases of suspects spending longer in prison awaiting trial than the maximum sentence for the crimes they were accused of. Legal experts say the situation has worsened as courts struggle with inadequate staffing, insufficient digital infrastructure and inconsistent funding across states.

A key point raised by practitioners is the urgent need to address delays in trial processes, which they say stem from several interconnected problems. Many courts rely on manual filing systems that slow down case assignments and document retrieval. The shortage of judges and magistrates means existing officers are overstretched, handling far more cases than international best practice recommends. Procedural bottlenecks, frequent adjournments and tactical delays by litigants further add to the backlog.

Lawyers argue that such delays carry profound human costs. Thousands of Nigerians remain in correctional facilities without trial, contributing heavily to overcrowding. Official data has repeatedly shown that the majority of inmates in many custodial centres are awaiting trial. Human rights groups say this undermines Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to fair and speedy justice, leaving families in limbo and causing long-term psychological and economic harm.

Overcrowding itself has become a national crisis. Correctional facilities designed decades ago for far fewer inmates are now running far beyond capacity, straining sanitation, healthcare and safety systems. Legal analysts note that pretrial detainees, who have not been convicted of any offence, often live in the same cramped conditions as convicted inmates, raising ethical and legal concerns. Lawyers at the forum said meaningful justice sector reform must include coordinated investments in correctional infrastructure, alternatives to imprisonment and strengthened community-based justice mechanisms.

Beyond the physical strain on facilities, lawyers emphasised the need to modernise Nigeria’s legal framework. Many procedural laws, they argued, no longer match contemporary realities. Some statutes still reflect decades-old criminal definitions or limited sentencing guidelines that do not account for modern criminal patterns, technology-driven offences or restorative justice practices. They called for harmonised criminal procedure laws across states, streamlined appeals processes and clearer sentencing frameworks to reduce inconsistencies.

Digitalisation emerged as a central solution. Legal scholars said the pandemic showed that virtual hearings and electronic filing can dramatically improve efficiency, but Nigeria’s judicial system still lacks the nationwide infrastructure to support such reforms. Electricity gaps, poor connectivity and uneven adoption across regions continue to limit progress. Lawyers urged the federal and state governments to prioritise nationwide digital courts, noting that such systems could cut down on delays, reduce costs and improve transparency.

In addition to the legal and technical reforms, speakers also highlighted concerns about access to justice for vulnerable groups. Rural communities, low-income citizens and individuals without legal representation often face steep hurdles in navigating the system. Many cannot afford legal fees, which leaves them dependent on overstretched legal aid services. Lawyers argued that justice cannot be truly reformed if it remains inaccessible to those who need it most. Expanding legal aid funding, increasing pro bono obligations and deploying mobile courts were among the proposals discussed.

The conversation also touched on the role of the legislature. Participants said significant reforms require updated laws, stronger oversight and more active legislative engagement. They warned that delays in passing critical bills can stall judicial progress for years. Coordinated law reform across federal and state levels, they said, is essential to building a justice system capable of addressing Nigeria’s evolving security and social challenges.

Several experts pointed out that justice sector reform is closely linked to economic development. Investors, they argued, rely on predictable legal processes, enforceable contracts and an efficient dispute resolution environment. When courts are slow or inconsistent, economic activity suffers. Some analysts described justice reform as a key driver of Nigeria’s broader push for stability, security and sustainable growth.

Human rights advocates added that an effective justice system also plays a central role in reducing insecurity. When communities believe that criminals will be prosecuted quickly and fairly, trust in the state improves and reliance on self-help justice declines. Conversely, weak justice systems create space for impunity, which undermines security and fuels resentment.

Looking ahead, lawyers called for a coordinated national roadmap that brings together the judiciary, executive, legislature, legal practitioners and civil society. They said incremental fixes will not be enough and urged government at all levels to treat justice sector reform as a priority area with measurable timelines.

While several states have begun adopting modern case-tracking tools, expanding small claims courts and piloting digital processes, experts warned that reforms remain uneven and under-funded. The consensus among the legal community is clear. Without comprehensive reform, Nigeria’s justice system will continue to struggle under the weight of delays, overcrowding and outdated laws.

For citizens, the stakes remain high. Justice delayed, lawyers stressed, is justice denied. Boss, this is polished and ready for posting.