On the 11th of June in Abuja, HiiL launched the 2025 edition of its Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Nigeria report, a first-of-its-kind longitudinal study that tracks how justice problems evolve over time. Conducted over three years, the study follows the same group of Nigerians to understand the shifting nature of their justice experiences. This makes it a powerful tool for policymakers and justice providers working to improve access to justice in the country.
The launch event was attended by several high-level dignitaries, including H.E. Mr. Bengt van Loosdrecht, Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria; Aliyu Abubakar, Esq., Director General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria and Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, Director General of the Nigerian Law School, amongst others. The event was also livestreamed to a global audience.
The study confirms what many on the ground have long known: legal problems are a daily part of life for millions. An overwhelming 90% of respondents experienced at least one legal problem during the four-year period. For many, these issues were not one-off events but repeated or long-standing challenges that significantly affected their health, finances and family lives.
What makes this report especially valuable for decision-makers is the detailed evidence it provides on the scale and persistence of justice problems that people are unable to resolve. It highlights where current systems fall short and where people are left to navigate complex problems on their own. Land disputes and domestic violence were among the most frequently reported issues, but the findings point to a broader justice gap affecting millions.
Land and Domestic Violence Top the List
Land disputes affected a large portion of the population and were among the most persistent legal problems reported. By the final year of the study, they accounted for 24% of all unresolved, long-lasting cases. These disputes were also less likely to be resolved through formal mechanisms. Many people turned instead to direct negotiation or community leaders, often citing the high cost and complexity of formal justice processes as key reasons for avoiding the courts.
Domestic violence was reported by 30% of respondents during the study. This includes physical violence, emotional abuse, economic deprivation and sexual violence. The impact was profound, with survivors reporting stress-related illness, financial loss, harm to family relationships and even job loss. Although most people who resolved these problems said the outcome was fair, many others stopped taking action due to a lack of hope or trust in the justice system.
“From the data we have seen, we all agree that some root causes never get to be addressed from the beginning. And so when these issues are being settled, they resurface. That means that they were not properly addressed.” – Miss Layab Amin Garba (Third Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA)
Key Patterns and Barriers
The study sheds light on several broader justice trends. One is that problems often resurface. Issues with neighbours and family members, for example, are likely to come back if the root causes are not addressed or if the original resolution was weak or informal. In such cases, formal systems are often bypassed entirely.
Another finding is that long-lasting legal problems disproportionately affect urban poor communities. The majority of these cases were linked to land, domestic violence or debt. Despite these challenges, the report shows that people still try to solve their problems—often through negotiation, family members or local leaders. The formal justice system is generally seen in a positive light, but many believe it is designed for lawyers rather than ordinary citizens. Trust in police is lower compared to other actors such as religious leaders or community authorities.
“Justice should not be a luxury. It should be a commodity for everyone,” Bengt van Loosdrecht, Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria
Why This Matters Now
As Nigeria seeks to improve access to justice and reduce inequality, effective policy depends on a clear understanding of people’s lived experiences. The JNS 2025 report offers just that—detailed, nationwide data collected over three years. Building on these insights, the report recommends continued, regular collection of people-centred justice data, alongside prioritising affordable, accessible and timely services including better pathways for resolving land and domestic violence disputes and more support for informal and community-based resolution mechanisms.
As the report shows, the justice gap in Nigeria is real and growing. But with the right tools and political will, it can be closed.
Key findings from the Justice Needs and Satisfaction 2025 report:
- 90% of people experienced at least one legal problem during the four-year study period.
- Many problems remain unresolved or resurface later, indicating weak or temporary solutions.
- People are increasingly turning to direct negotiation and community leaders instead of courts.
- Perceived high costs and complexity are major barriers to using formal justice systems.
- Land disputes and domestic violence were among the most common and persistent legal issues.
- There is a lack of trust in achieving a fair outcome, leading many to abandon their problems.
- Despite challenges, most people try to take action—often informally and outside official channels.
