Abuja: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), Ms. Lucy Abagi, has called for a unified, multi-stakeholder effort to strengthen justice, security, and governance systems for Nigeria’s sustainable development. Abagi made the call in Abuja at the 2025 Access to Justice Parley themed ‘Justice, Security and Governance: A United Agenda for Nigeria’s Sustainable Development.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event was attended by judges, lawyers, security agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners, civil society organizations, pro-bono legal networks, law clinic coordinators, media, and scholars. In her remarks, Abagi emphasized that the platform was created for ideas to translate into action and reforms.
She highlighted that the first Access to Justice Parley in 2023 was groundbreaking in uniting critical actors across the justice ecosystem to tackle systemic barriers and launch key reform initiatives. This event served as a catalyst for the Court Administration and Case Management Project and the second phase of the Reforming Pre-trial Detention in Nigeria Project. Abagi noted that these initiatives were rooted in the belief that justice must be efficiently, transparently, and promptly served.
Abagi further explained that the momentum continued into 2024, with stakeholders advancing inclusive reforms, enhancing legal aid access, and deepening trust in justice institutions. She stressed that justice reform is an ongoing process requiring persistence, courage, and collaboration across all sectors.
The CEO underscored that the 2025 theme reflects the urgent need for coherence and alignment among justice, governance, and security institutions to achieve sustainable development. Abagi asserted that equitable justice and the rule of law are fundamental to peace and security.
She described justice, security, and governance as interconnected pillars that uphold national stability, strengthen public trust, and create economic opportunities. Abagi emphasized that justice delivery is a shared responsibility among all citizens and institutions, not just courts and lawyers.
Abagi urged stakeholders to address key issues such as improving court efficiency, scaling digital innovation, reducing pre-trial detention, upholding human rights, and fostering collaboration between justice institutions and security agencies. She called for increased digital capacity, data-driven decision-making, and technology-enabled reform in the justice and security sectors.
Reaffirming the PPDC’s commitment, Abagi expressed gratitude to the judiciary, Ministry of Justice, law enforcement agencies, civil society, and international partners for their support of the reform agenda. She called for turning dialogue into actionable impact, asserting that justice is crucial to national progress.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, PPDC, Chibuzo Ekwekwuo, encouraged justice-sector stakeholders to move from merely lamenting system challenges to focusing on practical solutions that improve court efficiency and access to justice. Ekwekwuo pointed out that real improvement would come from active involvement and problem-solving within the system.
He highlighted the parley as a platform for judges, prosecutors, lawyers, legal administrators, and innovators to discuss internal issues openly and design feasible reforms. Ekwekwuo encouraged the judiciary and State Attorneys-General to collaborate with the PPDC technology team to develop solutions that address practical needs in courts and justice ministries. He stressed that justice reforms must be sustained through collaboration, accountability, and measurable progress.