Abuja, July 20, 2026 — The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has clinched a major institutional partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), securing ₦120 million to implement a comprehensive nationwide Justice for Children and Young People programme.
The landmark agreement, signed under the leadership of NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, runs from July 9, 2026, to March 30, 2027. It signals a strong resurgence of donor-funded institutional collaborations for the NBA following the conclusion of its long-standing support from the MacArthur Foundation.
The initiative aims to strengthen access to justice for children and young persons across Nigeria through a multi-pronged approach. Key components include policy advocacy, nationwide capacity building for legal practitioners, expansion of pro bono legal services, quality assurance and mentoring systems, community sensitization campaigns, and greater participation of children in justice processes.
The programme will also establish structured legal aid mechanisms, promote child-friendly justice reforms, support diversion programmes and non-custodial alternatives, and roll out robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks. A major highlight is the planned training and certification of more than 7,000 lawyers to handle child-related cases effectively.
Expected outcomes include faster access to quality legal representation for children, reduced child detention, wider adoption of diversionary measures, stronger nationwide legal aid systems, and the development of sustainable policy frameworks that embed child rights and child-sensitive justice administration in the country.
“This partnership is more than a project,” an NBA source noted. “It represents a vote of confidence in the current administration’s ability to restore the NBA’s institutional credibility and deliver measurable impact in the justice sector.”
The deal underscores the NBA’s growing influence as a key stakeholder in justice reform and human rights protection, positioning the Association as a trusted partner for international development organisations seeking to drive systemic change in Nigeria.
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