Zamfara Lawmakers Return from Lagos and Kaduna with Renewed Commitment to Expand Access to Justice

 



 In a significant move to address longstanding challenges in Nigeria’s justice system, lawmakers from Zamfara State have returned from a week-long learning visit to Lagos and Kaduna with renewed commitment to pass the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Bill. The visit, supported by International Alert Nigeria under the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Programme (SPRiNG), aims to transform access to justice through inclusive and conflict-sensitive models.

At a press conference held in Lagos to conclude the visit, lawmakers pledged to fast-track the passage of the ADR Bill currently before the Zamfara State House of Assembly. The bill is expected to lay the foundation for establishing an ADR Center in Zamfara, modeled after the successful Multi-Door Courthouses in Lagos and Kaduna.

Speaking during the event, Kingsley Udo, Country Director of International Alert Nigeria, lauded the Zamfara lawmakers for seeking solutions within Nigeria rather than abroad.

“I am proud as a Nigerian to see that the lawmakers of Zamfara State did not choose to go abroad to learn and adopt ADR models. Instead, they came to Lagos where practical, proven systems are already transforming the way justice is delivered,” Udo said. “Access to justice is not a privilege but a right. When denied, grievances fester and conflict escalates.”

Udo emphasized that International Alert is committed to supporting state governments to establish and strengthen locally relevant justice systems that are inclusive and sensitive to the root causes of conflict, particularly in regions affected by insecurity and resource-based tensions.

The Zamfara delegation included the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and 12 other lawmakers, alongside justice sector actors and community leaders. During their visits to Lagos and Kaduna, they observed how ADR models have successfully decongested the courts, improved trust in the justice system, and fostered community-level peace.

A visibly inspired lawmaker described the peer-learning journey as invaluable.

“My heart is filled with so much delight as we conclude this important peer learning journey,” he said. “What we’ve seen here are not just best practices but treasures we intend to replicate in Zamfara.”


 

The Multidoor Courthouses in Lagos and Kaduna—pioneers in Nigeria’s ADR landscape—serve as accessible platforms for resolving disputes without the costs, delays, and complexities associated with conventional courts. These models are credited with reducing case backlogs and promoting social cohesion by resolving conflicts amicably within communities.

The Zamfara lawmakers affirmed that a public hearing on the ADR Bill will be conducted upon their return, a step they say reflects their commitment to justice reform.

“We are sending a strong signal that Zamfara will not allow court congestion, high costs, or bureaucratic delays to stand in the way of our citizens’ rights,” said the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly.

The initiative stems from International Alert’s 'Promoting Stability, Access to Justice, and Accountability Project', code-named Samun Adalci Shine Kwanciyar Hankali, which began in Zamfara in 2023. The project aims to reduce violent conflict and improve governance by promoting access to fair and timely justice.

As momentum builds around the ADR Bill, International Alert has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding support to more states across Nigeria.

“Inclusive and conflict-sensitive justice systems are possible,” said Udo. “With what we have seen in Lagos and Kaduna, we are inspired to help other states replicate these homegrown solutions.”

For more updates, follow the conversation online using #IAlertNigeria and #SPRiNGInAction.

About International Alert
International Alert is a global peacebuilding organization that has worked in Nigeria since 2011 to promote social cohesion, reintegration of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, and sustainable peace across conflict-affected communities.

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