Nigeria Reviews Over 900 Laws, Removes 269 Outdated Regulations

The Nigerian Federal Government has reviewed more than 900 laws, identifying many as outdated. During a presentation in Abuja, Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi announced that 269 laws were deemed obsolete and would be removed from the upcoming 2025 edition of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

This review included 932 federal laws and 731 subsidiary laws, with 663 laws selected for inclusion in the new edition. Fagbemi emphasized that this effort is crucial for ensuring that federal laws remain relevant and accessible to the public.

The next step involves presenting the report to President Bola Tinubu, who will forward it to the National Assembly for further consideration. Fagbemi urged the National Assembly to act promptly on the proposed changes.

Olawale Fapohunda, the committee chairman, described the report as a significant milestone in law reform. He noted that the committee faced challenges, including outdated language and low fines that have not changed despite economic growth.

Fapohunda also suggested creating a central repository for federal laws to improve access and facilitate ongoing updates. He highlighted the need for a structured process to address any errors in the laws after publication to maintain their accuracy.

The committee’s work involved collaboration with various legal bodies and utilized digital tools to enhance teamwork among members working remotely.