To modernise Nigeria's justice system, the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Justice Sector Reform and ICT/Digital and Innovative Technology has launched JusticeTech Nigeria 2025. This bold initiative marks the nation's first national hackathon and accelerator programme dedicated specifically to justice innovation. Its primary goal is to address critical challenges such as court administration, access to justice, and transparency, by fostering technology-driven solutions from local innovators.
During the inaugural event, Fernandez Marcus-Obiene, the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Justice Sector Reform, highlighted that the initiative is a direct response to longstanding issues within the justice sector. He stated, “It’s really about helping to find local solutions to local problems. There’s a disconnect between what the judiciary needs and what innovators think they should build. This programme bridges that gap.” This sentiment underscores the importance of aligning technological advancements with the actual needs of the judicial system.
In preparation for this programme, tech innovators from across Nigeria were invited to submit tailored pitches aimed at resolving justice-related issues. The response was overwhelming, with 82 entries received within two weeks. Following a rigorous selection process, 20 finalists were chosen to participate in an intensive boot camp designed to refine their business strategies and innovations. Ultimately, ten teams were selected to advance to the accelerator phase, which will provide them with sustained mentorship, investment opportunities, and resources.
The programme is structured as a public-private partnership, involving stakeholders from various sectors. Marcus-Obiene emphasised that this collaboration is intended to ensure the initiative’s long-term sustainability. “We’re not just giving out money; we are helping to build viable businesses. We’ll even hold a small stake in these startups to ensure alignment and provide ongoing support,” he explained. This dual focus on funding and mentorship reflects a commitment to creating a robust ecosystem that can adapt to the evolving needs of the justice sector.
The hackathon event saw participation from various stakeholders, including representatives from the Supreme Court and private legal tech firms. Mentorship was provided by seasoned professionals, who imparted knowledge on market entry strategies, business structuring, and effective pitching. The judging panel included notable figures such as Justice Ayokunle Olayinka Faji, administrative judge of the Federal High Court, who underscored the initiative's potential impact on national development. “If we can get the legal sector working, we have solved about 60 per cent of the problem,” he noted, highlighting the vital role the legal profession plays in broader societal improvements.
The competition culminated with PocketLawyer, led by CEO Ngozi Nwabueze, emerging as the overall winner. The platform is designed to empower legal practitioners by offering them digital tools to expand their client reach and streamline their operations—positioned to serve as a “Shopify for lawyers.” Nwabueze articulated a vision for global scalability, stating, “We are empowering lawyers to go digital, serve more clients effectively, and have all the tools they need in one place.”
In total, ₦22 million in funding and support is set to be awarded to the top three winners in the accelerator stage. The first prize alone will offer a significant ₦10 million, combining cash and resource support. This financial backing represents a critical investment in nurturing sustainable innovations aimed at enhancing access to justice and legal efficiency.
JusticeTech Nigeria 2025 is envisioned as an annual initiative, with plans to expand stakeholder engagement and deepen its impact across the justice ecosystem in subsequent years. This forward-thinking approach aligns with other civic technology efforts in the region, such as the West Africa CivicTech Conference, which convenes innovators and policymakers to explore technology’s role in governance and democratic processes. As Nigeria's legal landscape undergoes these transformative changes, the collaborative spirit fostered through initiatives like JusticeTech could serve as a model for reform across Africa’s justice systems.
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Source: Noah Wire Services