The Lagos State Government has inaugurated the Ministry of Justice Centre for Legal Study, Research and Training to boost professional competence and improve the administration of justice across the state.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, officially opened the facility in Alausa, Lagos, where he was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hudeyin.
Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the centre was established to provide continuous professional development, foster research into practical legal challenges, and bridge the gap between legal knowledge and public service. He described the project as a deliberate effort to strengthen public institutions, build investor confidence, and foster economic prosperity under the state’s THEMES Plus Agenda.
“Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial capital and one of Africa’s most dynamic urban centres, requires an effective justice system capable of meeting the demands of its growing economic activities and diverse population,” Sanwo-Olu stated. “Investors require certainty, businesses require effective dispute resolution, and citizens require institutions that protect their rights and treat them fairly.”
The governor highlighted previous justice sector interventions by his administration, including the commissioning of the Commercial Court at Tapa, the renovation of the J.I.C. Taylor Court House, the provision of residential accommodation for Magistrates and State Counsel at Ketu, and the upgrading of the Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Mediation Centre to bureau status.
Sanwo-Olu urged the new centre to move beyond basic lectures and serve as a practical hub for shaping government policy and elevating professional standards through strategic partnerships with the judiciary, universities, and civil society.
A First of Its Kind in Nigeria
In his welcome address, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), disclosed that the facility is the first dedicated legal research and training centre established within a Ministry of Justice in Nigeria.
Pedro explained that the state plans to incorporate the centre as a not-for-profit entity operating under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with the ministry serving as a founding member.
“A justice system that wants to stay strong must keep learning, self-examining, reforming, and preparing for the future,” Pedro noted, describing the facility as a legacy project designed to build human capital for the state’s legal sector.
Former Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (SAN), commended the initiative, emphasizing that personnel development remains the greatest asset of any legal institution. He also praised the ministry’s ongoing efforts to advance the careers of its officers.
Legal Luminaries Call for Sustainability and Customary Reform
Distinguished members of the legal profession delivered goodwill messages during the ceremony, praising the government’s foresight while offering strategic recommendations:
Mr. Wole Olanipekun (SAN), described the centre as a vital stepping stone that will provide a nurturing environment for legal practitioners, young lawyers, and law students to grow.
Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), called on the state government to enact a formal law establishing the centre to guarantee its long-term sustainability. The human rights activist encouraged the centre to archive historical legal records—including colonial-era documents—and urged the inclusion of customary courts in future research initiatives to benefit everyday citizens.
Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), represented by Mr. Adeniyi Quadri, Chairman of the NBA Ikeja Branch, the Nigerian Bar Association President emphasized that the success of the centre will ultimately be measured by its real-world impact on individuals seeking justice. She urged the ministry to preserve institutional knowledge from retired officers to guide up-and-coming legal professionals.(NAN)
