By Ude Ogbonnaya Israel
Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olosunkanmi Fagbemi, has declared that the nation is ready to embrace a digital justice system capable of delivering faster, more transparent, and inclusive adjudication.
Speaking at the 2025 University of Jos Distinguished Alumni Lecture held at the institution’s Social Science Auditorium, Naraguta Campus, Fagbemi said the digital age presents opportunities that could redefine the country’s legal architecture.
According to him, technology has already reshaped education, medicine, and governance, and the justice sector must not be left behind.“The very architecture of justice is shifting—courtrooms are no longer confined to physical spaces and legal records are no longer bound by paper.
Technology in justice is not simply about speed, but about opening doors. It must serve humanity, not the other way round,” he said.
In a show of solidarity with his alma mater, the Attorney General announced a ₦50 million donation to support the University of Jos in hosting the upcoming Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA).
He said the gesture reflects his commitment to youth development and institutional growth.Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, who was special guest of honour, described the lecture as a “fountain of knowledge” and urged even non–tech savvy generations to adapt to digital innovations.
He reaffirmed his administration’s support for UNIJOS and appealed to the Attorney General to continue promoting the advancement of competent alumni into leadership positions nationwide.
Chairman of the event, Senator Simon Bako Lalong, who represents Plateau South and is also a former governor, praised Fagbemi’s blend of scholarship and practical legal experience.
He stressed that digitization is already reshaping professions globally, and said the Senate is paying close attention to reforms in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, especially in justice delivery.
Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Tanko Ishaya, described the lecture as a “reference manual” for the future of Nigeria’s legal system.
He said artificial intelligence and technology are meant to augment, not replace, human ventures, adding that UNIJOS is positioning itself as a Centre of Excellence in AI research.
Director of Alumni Relations, Mr. Naadye Dabuget, welcomed the dignitaries and applauded the Attorney General’s intervention in university affairs.
Similarly, Global President of the Alumni Association, Dr. Gad Peter, said lectures of this nature serve as intellectual renewal platforms and strengthen the university’s culture of excellence.
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), called the lecture title “timely and apt,” noting that it will enrich both academic discourse and practical approaches to governance and justice reform in Nigeria.
The lecture, themed “The Nigerian Justice System in a Digital Age: Opportunities, Challenges and Road Ahead,” underscores growing momentum for digital transformation within Nigeria’s judiciary, with stakeholders agreeing that the nation is indeed ripe for a technology-driven justice system.
