Stakeholders seek stronger accountability, access to justice across West Africa

The Federal Government, regional partners and international stakeholders on Tuesday opened a three-day symposium aimed at strengthening the rule of law, human security and accountability across West Africa, with a strong focus on gender and access to justice. The event, themed “Symposium on Rule of Law, Human Security and Accountability: Intersecting Gender and Access to […]

The Federal Government, regional partners and international stakeholders on Tuesday opened a three-day symposium aimed at strengthening the rule of law, human security and accountability across West Africa, with a strong focus on gender and access to justice.

The event, themed “Symposium on Rule of Law, Human Security and Accountability: Intersecting Gender and Access to Justice in the ECOWAS Region,” will hold from March 31 to April 2 in Abuja. It is convened by the ECOWAS Regional Security Division and the ECOWAS Democracy and Good Governance Division, with support from international partners.

Declaring the symposium open on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Permanent Secretary, Magdalene N. Ajani, said the gathering was both “timely and significant” given persistent justice gaps in the region.

“I bring you good greetings from my boss, the Honourable Minister of Interior… who would have loved to be here, but for exigencies of duty,” she said.

Ajani noted that the symposium represented “a convergence of policy, principle, and purpose,” stressing that justice systems in the region must work for all citizens regardless of gender.

“Our meeting today is both timely and significant as we collectively reflect on a defining challenge for the ECOWAS region — strengthening the rule of law and human security, while ensuring that justice systems serve every citizen without discrimination and irrespective of gender,” she said.

She warned that access to justice remains limited for many, particularly vulnerable groups.

“Across our region, the promise of justice remains elusive for many, particularly women, children, and other vulnerable groups who encounter persistent barriers, systemic gaps, deep-seated cultural norms, and institutional fragility,” she added.

According to her, such challenges are “not peripheral concerns” but “direct constraints on human dignity, security, and sustainable development.”

Ajani emphasised that while the rule of law is the foundation of democratic governance, gender disparities continue to undermine its effectiveness.

“Unequal access to legal remedies, weak accountability mechanisms, and insufficient institutional support undermine both human dignity, social stability, and the sustainable progress we collectively seek,” she said.

She added that human security must go beyond the absence of conflict.

“It embodies freedom from fear, freedom from want, and the assurance of dignity. When women and marginalized groups are denied justice… the very fabric of our societies is inevitably weakened,” she said.

Highlighting Nigeria’s position, Ajani said the government is advancing reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to build “a justice system that is efficient, equitable, and inclusive.”

She said priorities include strengthening legal frameworks, improving institutional capacity to address gender-based violence, and deepening accountability systems to build public trust.

She also underscored the importance of regional collaboration through ECOWAS in tackling transnational threats such as human trafficking, violent extremism and organised crime.

“The ECOWAS platform therefore offers a vital opportunity to harmonize legal standards, exchange best practices, and coordinate responses to transnational challenges,” she said.

Declaring the event open, she added: “Let this symposium… serve as a catalyst for renewed commitment, practical solutions, and sustained collective action.”

Also speaking, Germany’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, described security sector reform as central to peace and democratic stability in the region.

“In a region facing complex and broad-based security challenges, security sector reform and governance remain a cornerstone for building lasting peace, protecting human rights and strengthening democratic institutions,” she said.

She stressed that accountable security systems are essential not only for stability but also for development and public trust.

“At the heart of meaningful security sector reform efforts lies the commitment to inclusiveness… ensuring access to justice for all, especially for the most vulnerable,” Günther said.

She added that promoting women’s participation in security and justice institutions is both a rights issue and a practical necessity.

“Promoting the leadership and meaningful participation of women… is not only a matter of rights, but also of effective measurement and resilience,” she said.

Günther reaffirmed Germany’s support for ECOWAS, noting its long-standing partnership in advancing peace, security and governance in West Africa.

“Germany remains firmly committed to continuing this cooperation… to supporting regional activities that enhance human security, democratic resilience, and conflict prevention,” she said.

A representative of the European Union delegation to Nigeria also emphasised the urgency of addressing justice and accountability gaps in the region.

“Persistent gaps in access to justice and accountability processes have disproportionate impacts on women and vulnerable groups,” the representative said.

He noted that security sector reform must go beyond institutions to include human rights, gender equality and access to justice.

“Sustainable progress cannot be achieved without advancement on all these fronts,” he said.

The EU reiterated its support for ECOWAS through the Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance programme, which is co-financed with Germany and other partners.

The EPSG project supports ECOWAS in addressing security and governance challenges in West Africa by enhancing early conflict detection, security sector reform, electoral support, and inclusive peace processes. EPSG is commissioned by Germany and co-financed the European Union (EU). The project is implemented in a Team Europe Approach by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with Expertise France (EF) and Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas (FIAP) in partnership with ECOWAS.”

The EPSG project strengthens ECOWAS’ capacity in peacebuilding, security, and governance in West Africa. The project is commissioned by Germany, co-financed by the EU and implemented jointly by GIZ, EF and FIAP in partnership with ECOWAS.