Federal government has taken a major step toward overhauling its criminal justice system with the unveiling of the National Minimum Standards (2025) and the Harmonized Restorative Justice Training Curriculum and Manual (2025), aimed at accelerating justice delivery, reducing prison congestion, and promoting a more humane legal framework.

The unveiling was held on Tuesday in Abuja and was led by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF ) and Minister of Justice, Lateef  Fagbemi, (SAN) alongside key stakeholders in the justice sector.

 Fagbemi, represented by Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, described the initiative as a “significant milestone” in Nigeria’s justice reform journey, emphasizing that the new frameworks would strengthen the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and similar laws across the states.

He noted that while the ACJA has improved conviction rates, curbed practices such as arrest by proxy, and enhanced asset recovery, challenges such as delays in case management, congested courts, and overcrowded correctional centres persist.

“The National Minimum Standards provide a unified framework to ensure consistency, accountability, and improved performance across the justice sector,” he said.

Fagbemi further highlighted the growing importance of restorative justice, describing it as a complementary approach that shifts focus from punitive measures to repairing harm, fostering accountability, and rebuilding relationships between victims, offenders, and communities.

He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Justice would commence a three-day intensive training programme on restorative justice for judges and mediators from April 15 to 17, 2026, to support nationwide implementation.

Earlier in  her welcome address, the Director of the Administration of Criminal Justice Reform and Development Department, Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, said the unveiling marked the culmination of years of collaborative efforts to institutionalize restorative justice in Nigeria.

She explained that the ministry had, since 2022, worked with stakeholders to develop policies, bills, practice directions, and training tools, drawing lessons from jurisdictions such as Lagos State.

According to her, the new standards establish operational benchmarks aligned with global best practices, while the training curriculum provides a structured framework for building capacity and ensuring professionalism in restorative justice processes.

Ayoola-Daniels commended development partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, for their technical and financial support.

Delivering a goodwill message, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, represented by justice James Omotosho described the ACJA as a “revolutionary” legal framework that has enhanced efficiency, fairness, and protection of rights within Nigeria’s justice system.

He noted that the newly introduced national standards would ensure uniformity in implementation across jurisdictions, strengthen institutional accountability, and boost public confidence in the judiciary.

Tsoho also praised the restorative justice framework for promoting victim compensation, offender rehabilitation, and community participation, adding that it aligns with global best practices and fosters sustainable peace.

Stakeholders at the event, including representatives of the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, civil society groups, and international partners, agreed that effective implementation of the new frameworks would be critical to achieving meaningful reform.

The unveiling signals a renewed commitment by the Federal Government to modernize Nigeria’s justice system, with a focus on efficiency, inclusiveness, and respect for human rights.

There were also goodwill messages from the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, the Inspector General of Police, Etsu Kwali, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Rule of Law and anti- Corruption (ROLAC)  programme at the unveiling ceremony.

They  noted that  the success of the initiative will depend largely on sustained collaboration among justice sector actors and the political will to translate policy into practice.