The Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) Revision Committee has reviewed 697 out of 737 laws, with 40 remaining.
The committee has pledged to complete the review process by September 2025 as part of efforts to modernise, consolidate, and harmonise the country’s federal statutes.
During a five-day retreat in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, emphasised the importance of the committee’s inauguration in October 2024.
He said the ongoing legal review would improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the nation’s legal framework.
“The call to be part of this assignment is indeed a sacred one that inevitably and positively affects the lives of individuals, government, businesses, as well as citizens of this nation. The general purpose of law is to regulate human behavior by protecting lives and properties in the society,” Fagbemi said.
Steady progress
He noted that since the initial retreat, the committee has made steady progress, supported by the Ministry’s implementation of key strategies such as training for working group secretaries to enhance documentation and coordination.
“This second retreat serves as a strategic consolidation of Nigeria’s national law reform efforts. It provides an opportunity to assess our progress since the first phase, address technical or structural challenges, harmonize outputs from working groups, and define the path forward for the project’s final stages,” he stated.
Fagbemi praised the LFN Committee leadership and Secretariat for their effective coordination and daily management, and also commended the Working Groups, Editors, and Reviewers for their intellectual diligence and professionalism.
Speaking at the event, the Committee Chairman and former Ekiti State Attorney General, Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, explained that during the retreat, each working group would present their current progress, highlighting any challenges encountered and proposing immediate solutions.
“The committee mandate is to review 737 laws of the federation, but we have so far completed 697, with 40 more to go,” Fapohunda stated.
“We are working hard and strenuously towards completing and submitting the draft no later than the date agreed upon with the Honorable Minister, which is September 2025,” he concluded.
Legislative updates
Also speaking a representative of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), Mr. Toyin Badejogbon, emphasized the need for support in the review process, stating that legislative updates will enhance access to the law.
He added that the courts, research institutions, law reform commissions, and citizens all need the law to engage meaningfully.
Lateefah Ibrahim
Comments are closed.