Nigeria’s legal system is a tale of perseverance put to the test by fire, both literally and figuratively. The nation’s judiciary has experienced numerous shocks that have threatened to impede justice, from the dusty archives of pre-COVID-19 times to the devastation caused during the EndSARS rallies.
However, in the midst of these difficulties, a silent revolution has been taking place: the digitalization of court documents, e-filing systems, and virtual hearings—changes that, if they are maintained, have the potential to completely alter the way justice is administered.
Now, the crucial question is whether these reforms will last or wane after the crises that brought them about are over.
Many Nigerian courts used paper nearly exclusively prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. Delays in the administration of justice were common, case tracking was slow, and files were manually stamped, packaged, and kept in registries. The possibility of losing important documents was a major concern for plaintiffs, and the legal system operated in an annoyingly slow manner.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused courts to reconsider their methods.
Lockdowns and social alienation made computerized case-management systems, e-filing, and virtual hearings essential, driving the judiciary toward long-discussed but infrequently carried out reforms.
However, concerns regarding the long-term viability of these modifications surfaced as the pandemic’s urgency subsided. After the urgent need subsided, some courts returned to analog procedures, while others adopted digital platforms. In several jurisdictions, development was hampered by unstable internet, erratic power supplies, a lack of IT expertise among court employees, and insufficient financing. The advances obtained under duress run the danger of eroding without continued investment, leaving courts vulnerable to disruption and inefficiency.
The October 2020 EndSARS protests brought attention to how urgently trustworthy digital records are needed. Hoodlums destroyed Lagos’ ancient Igbosere High Court during the protests, setting the structure on fire and destroying decades’ worth of court records. More than 150 years of judicial history, including case files, exhibits, and court records, may have been lost, according to legal experts. However, many case data were securely backed up because of prior investments in cloud storage, proving the ability of digital technology to preserve legal memory.
Justice Kazeem Alogba, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, affirmed that despite the damage, judicial proceedings could proceed thanks to electronically saved case files. Lawyers lamented the irreversible loss of historical records, pointing out that many cases would need to be refiled and some might never be properly reconstructed. Despite this, there was a considerable emotional and institutional cost.
Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun of Nigeria has established digitization as a crucial reform pillar at the top of the court. She stated that the Supreme Court issued 369 rulings in the 2025–2026 fiscal year, crediting computerization, centralized digital court record units, and a new case-management system for the improvement. Additionally, she announced the creation of a Central Information Unit that will offer complete e-filing integration via the Nigerian Case Management System and real-time case updates. However, the CJN is cautious in its exuberance. She has regularly cautioned court personnel about the dangers of data security, warning them that the judiciary is a key target for hackers and handles confidential material.
Speaking at a cybersecurity and AI symposium, she emphasized that technology must support justice rather than take the place of human judgment, pointing out that courts must carefully strike a balance between efficiency, integrity, and public trust.
Despite the efficiency and robustness that digitization promises, worries about exclusion still exist. For example, the Lagos State Judiciary’s move to require e-affidavits through its LagosCoMiS system has created practical difficulties. While many attorneys applauded the change for lowering fraud, others expressed worry that people without dependable internet connection or technical abilities may be left out.
Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a senior advocate, has warned that a hasty transition could result in a two-speed legal system that favors those with resources while excluding others. In order to guarantee that everyone has access to justice, he promotes a progressive, inclusive strategy in which electronic filing enhances rather than replaces human procedures.
In Nigerian courts, digitization presents both a technological and legal problem. Although electronic records are recognized by the Evidence Act of 2011, there is still a lack of specified procedural rules, which raises questions about the legitimacy and admissibility of digital evidence.
Experts contend that strong cybersecurity measures, legal clarity, and in-depth training for judges, clerks, and attorneys are necessary for digital court records to be genuinely effective. Without these, digitization runs the risk of becoming superficial or possibly making the legal system more vulnerable. Nigeria’s court digitization story is one of promise tempered with vulnerability. The EndSARS demolition revealed both how digital backups can preserve important legal memories and how physical documents can be destroyed in an instant. The uneven adoption of technology, along with deficiencies in infrastructure and regulations, indicates that digital changes are still in their infancy. A larger conflict is reflected in the CJN’s recurrent demands for data security and cautious technological use: how to modernize the judiciary without jeopardizing the rule of law, public trust, or access to justice. A number of actions are required if the judiciary is to fully benefit from digitization. All courts must institutionalize digital technology, not merely use them as test projects. To support these platforms, governments must make investments in dependable power, fast internet, and backup systems. Legal frameworks should be revised to offer precise instructions on digital filing, data protection, and electronic evidence. To successfully handle the digital shift, judges, registrars, and court employees need continual training. Additionally, systems must be inclusive, using hybrid models to accommodate people without dependable technology or digital literacy.
Finally, in order to avoid future losses similar to those that occurred during EndSARS, historical records must be digitized and safely stored.
Driven by crises like COVID-19 and EndSARS and supported by reformist leadership at the highest levels, Nigeria’s courts have made significant progress in adopting digital transformation. However, concerns concerning infrastructure, inclusivity, and sustainability still exist. Technology must be supported by steady investment, unambiguous legal frameworks, and capacity building if it is to serve justice.
Nigeria’s judiciary won’t be able to protect its history and future until it is resilient, effective, and accessible.
