NGO Hosts High-level Dialogue on Justice Sector Reform, Others

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The International Alert Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation championing dispute resolutions, has convened a meeting of senior government officials, judges, legislators, civil‑society representatives, traditional leaders, and development partners in Sokoto, Sokoto State.

The two-day meeting was to strengthen justice‑sector reforms in north‑west Nigeria, highlighting the Multi-door Courthouse initiative and a new climate‑action project aimed at reducing conflict drivers.According to the country Director, Dr. Kingsley Udo, the programme is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) programme, highlighted the urgent need to improve access to justice amid rising insecurity, banditry and communal violence.

Participants were reminded that swift, affordable dispute resolution can curb the escalation of grievances into conflict.Key initiatives discussed include the Multidoor Courthouse – a faster, cheaper alternative to conventional courts – now at its third reading in Zamfara State, and awareness‑raising campaigns in Katsina to guide citizens to the service. International Alert also announced a new “Powering Peace through Climate Action” project in Sokoto, aimed at addressing climate‑related drivers of conflict.

In his welcome address, the organisation’s representative thanked the Sokoto State government for its openness, the British FCDO for continued support, and the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly for his presence.

He stressed that the roundtable is part of a broader effort to embed conflict‑sensitive, inclusive governance and to build trust between citizens and the state.

The dialogue is expected to produce concrete Standard Operating Procedures for case referrals and a roadmap for scaling the Multidoor Courthouse across the North‑west, marking a pivotal step toward a more accessible and peaceful justice system in the region.

The Speaker of Sokoto State House of Assembly, Tukur Bala Bodinga, represented by his deputy, Kabiru Ibrahim who declared the event open, stated that the House of Assembly would partner any critical stakeholders in advancing an effective justice system.

He further stated that the House will legislate law that would bring improvement in justice reformation.

Stakeholders from Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna and Katsina state said there are deliberate efforts and policies in their states for strengthening justice sector reforms and promoting access to justice and peaceful conflict resolutions.