NSUK Law Clinic Hosts 2026 Access to Justice Symposium, Calls for Justice Sector Reforms

The Law Clinic of the Faculty of Law at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), has called for stronger institutional collaboration, improved legal awareness and reforms to Nigeria’s justice system at its 2026 Access to Justice Symposium.

The symposium, held on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the Faculty of Law’s Moot Court, brought together legal practitioners, academics, justice sector stakeholders and law students to discuss practical strategies for improving access to justice across the country.

The event was themed “Strengthening Access to Justice in Nigeria: The Role of Clinical Legal Education, Institutional Collaboration and Justice Sector Reform.”

In his welcome address, the Head of the NSUK Law Clinic, Matthew Obinna Jude, stressed the need to make justice accessible to all, particularly indigent citizens who lack legal representation, are unaware of their rights or remain in custody awaiting trial.

Jude called for stronger collaboration among institutions and encouraged law students to apply their legal knowledge to practical challenges affecting society.

The keynote address was delivered by the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Yahaya Yakubu Shafa, FCIArb, Esq., who emphasised the importance of grassroots legal awareness and ensuring that ordinary citizens can access justice.

Shafa commended the NSUK Law Clinic for its role in developing socially conscious and ethically grounded legal practitioners. He also highlighted the potential of technology to transform judicial processes and improve the administration of justice.

He urged aspiring lawyers to uphold competence, courage and integrity, describing these qualities as essential to professional excellence, combating injustice and sustaining public confidence in the legal system.

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the justice, security and civil society sectors, including CSP Idirisu Kenedy, Divisional Police Officer of Agwan Lambu Division, Keffi; Miss Kwapaya Adamu, Esq., Secretary of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, Nasarawa State; Mrs Lucy James Abagi, Chief Executive Officer of the Public and Private Development Centre; and CSC Samaila Bulus, Officer-in-Charge of the New Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre.

The stakeholders praised the Law Clinic for promoting legal awareness and strengthening partnerships aimed at improving access to justice and advancing institutional reforms.

The programme also featured an interactive panel discussion on justice sector reforms, a debate competition among law students and a question-and-answer session. These activities provided participants with opportunities to exchange ideas and explore practical approaches to addressing challenges within Nigeria’s justice system.

The symposium ended with the presentation of Awards of Excellence to selected partners and participants, followed by a group photograph to mark the occasion.

The event reinforced the NSUK Law Clinic’s commitment to advancing clinical legal education, promoting respect for fundamental rights and preparing future legal practitioners to contribute to the effective administration of justice in Nigeria.