Despite commendable reform efforts at both the Federal and State levels, Nigeria's Justice and Security Sector continues to face numerous challenges. The criminal justice system struggles with effectively responding to the deteriorating security situation across the country and the access to justice needs of a large proportion of the population. Widespread impunity appears to have become one of the main drivers of insecurity and severely undercuts public confidence in the rule of law. The police and other law enforcement agencies suffer from a severe trust deficit fueled primarily by human rights violations, poor service delivery and both actual and perceived corruption. The courts are slow in the dispensation of justice and difficult to access for many, in particular poor Nigerians. Custodial centers in Nigeria are overcrowded, mainly due to a large number of prisoners awaiting trial. Moreover, coordination across multiple specialized law enforcement agencies, the police, the Attorney General Offices at the Federal and State levels, the Judiciary, Legal Aid, the Nigerian Prison Service, and many civil society organizations active in the justice sector remains complex.
Our work
Since 2001, UNODC has implemented a series of projects to support the efforts of the Nigerian Government in improving the justice and security sector. These include research, strategic planning, policy and legislative reform, technical advisory services, mentoring, and extensive capacity building. The overarching goal of these efforts has been to improve the efficiency and fairness of justice delivery, improve integrity, accountability and transparency across the sector, and strengthen coordination and cooperation among the various stakeholders. Ultimately, these efforts have been aimed at strengthening the Nigerian criminal justice system's ability to uphold the rule of law, ensure access to justice for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and prisoners, and protect the rights of victims of crime.
Our partners
Key counterparts include the Attorney General's Office, including the Department for Public Prosecution, the Central Authority Unit, as well as the Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee, the National Judicial Institute, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Nigerian Police Force, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, National Association of Prosecutors, the Nigerian Bar Association as well as a host of civil society organizations, actively engaged on rule of law and justice-related topics.
Our projects
Our achievements
Read our achievement report on Strengthening the Capacity of the Nigerian Correctional Service to Effectively Rehabilitate and Reintegrate Prisoners Held for an (alleged) Association with Boko Haram (Phase I-III)
