Participants on the maiden Conference of All Law Reform Commissions in Nigeria have known as for complete reforms of the nation’s legislative framework to deal with structural imbalances in federalism, strengthen native authorities autonomy and devolve extra powers to states.
The contributors additionally advocated fiscal federalism, a evaluate of the Exclusive Legislative List in favour of states and full judicial federalism as a part of measures to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic establishments.
These suggestions have been contained in a communiqué issued on the finish of the two-day convention, hosted by the Edo State Law Reform Commission on the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy, Benin City, from September 28 to 29, 2026.
The convention, which had as its theme, ‘Consolidating Nigeria’s Democracy by way of Law Reform: Charting the Way Forward,’ featured a gap deal with by Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, whereas the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), was represented by Otunba Wale Fapohunda (SAN) who delivered the keynote deal with.
On nationwide safety and human rights, the contributors harassed the necessity to strike a steadiness between safeguarding the nation and defending the elemental rights of residents.
They maintained that govt measures taken within the curiosity of nationwide safety should stay topic to judicial scrutiny, whereas urging civil society organisations to stay vigilant towards human rights abuses perpetrated below the guise of safety operations.
The convention additionally known as for a coherent nationwide intelligence-sharing system anchored on clearly outlined mandates, inter-agency cooperation, accountability and digital readiness to strengthen the nation’s response to safety challenges.
It additional advocated reforms to police investigation procedures consistent with worldwide finest practices, alongside measures to reinforce accountability inside regulation enforcement companies.
On native authorities administration, the contributors known as for reforms to allow councils to discharge their constitutional tasks and train the autonomy affirmed by the Supreme Court.
They additionally emphasised the necessity for efficient mechanisms to make sure that elevated allocations to native governments translate into improved infrastructure and the supply of important companies, together with healthcare, meals and shelter.
The communiqué famous that monetary autonomy on the grassroots stage should ship tangible advantages to residents, quite than stay a constitutional provision with out corresponding enhancements in service supply.
The contributors additional known as for ample and sustainable funding, certified personnel and fashionable infrastructure for regulation reform commissions throughout the nation.
They argued that the effectiveness of the commissions would stay restricted with out the required institutional assist to conduct analysis, evaluate current legal guidelines and advocate reforms that mirror up to date realities.
To deal with delays in implementing their suggestions, the convention proposed a authorized framework compelling the legislative and govt arms of presidency to contemplate and act on reviews submitted by regulation reform commissions inside specified time frames.
The contributors warned that failure by related authorities to behave on such suggestions undermines the targets of regulation reform and limits its potential affect on governance and nationwide improvement.
On electoral issues, the convention advocated reforms to make sure that pre-election and post-election disputes are resolved earlier than elections or inauguration, the place relevant.
According to the communiqué, such measures would assist scale back extended litigation, promote certainty within the electoral course of and be sure that electoral outcomes mirror the desire of voters.
The contributors additionally known as for a complete evaluate of Nigeria’s tertiary schooling curriculum to include rising applied sciences, together with synthetic intelligence and robotics, in response to developments related to the Fifth Industrial Revolution.
At the top of the convention, the Chairman of the Edo State Law Reform Commission, Hon. Osikhena-Boih Donald, was appointed Pro Tem Chairman of the Forum of State Law Reform Commissions in Nigeria.
The communiqué was collectively signed by Prof. Inegbedion, Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee; Donald; and the Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Roland Otaru (SAN).
