The tale of Nigeria’s courts is one of tenacity put to the test by fire, both literally and figuratively. The country’s judiciary has experienced numerous shocks that have threatened to halt justice, from the dusty records 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 revolutionize the way justice is administered.
Whether these reforms will last or wane when the crises that brought them about have passed is currently the most important question.
Prior to the COVID-19 epidemic, paper was the primary method used by many Nigerian courts. In addition to the poor case tracking and frequent delays in the administration of justice, files were manually stamped, packaged, and kept in registries. The possibility of losing important documents loomed big for plaintiffs, and the legal system operated excruciatingly slowly.
When COVID-19 struck, courts had to reconsider how they functioned.
Lockdowns and social alienation made computerized case-management systems, e-filing, and virtual hearings essential, forcing the judiciary to adopt long-discussed but infrequently carried out innovations.
However, as the pandemic’s urgency subsided, concerns about these adjustments’ long-term viability surfaced. While some courts adopted digital systems, others went back to traditional procedures after the urgent necessity subsided. Inadequate finance, erratic power supplies, unreliable internet, and a lack of IT expertise among court employees all hindered progress in several jurisdictions. Courts are vulnerable to inefficiency and disruption if the gains made under pressure are not sustained.
Reliable digital records are desperately needed, as demonstrated by the October 2020 EndSARS protests. Hooligans set fire to the historic Igbosere High Court in Lagos during the protests, burning decades’ worth of court records. Attorneys think that more than 150 years’ worth of court records, exhibits, and case files may have been lost. However, many case data were securely backed up because of prior investments in cloud storage, indicating the potential of digital systems to preserve legal memory.
Justice Kazeem Alogba, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, affirmed that despite the damage, judicial proceedings might continue 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. Nevertheless, the emotional and institutional toll was substantial.
Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun of Nigeria, who is at the top of the court, has made digitization a crucial reform pillar. She stated that the Supreme Court issued 369 rulings during the 2025–2026 legal year, citing computerization, centralized digital court record units, and a new case-management system as contributing factors. Additionally, she announced the creation of a Central Information Unit that will offer complete e-filing connection with the Nigerian Case Management System and real-time case updates. However, the CJN’s zeal is tempered with prudence. The judiciary handles classified material and is a prime target for cyberattacks, thus she has regularly cautioned judicial officers about data security concerns.
She emphasized that technology must assist justice, not take the place of human judgment, when speaking at a summit on AI and cybersecurity. She also noted that courts must carefully strike a balance between efficiency, integrity, and public trust.
Although efficiency and resilience are promised by digitization, worries about exclusion continue to exist. For example, the Lagos State Judiciary’s implementation of the LagosCoMiS system, which requires e-affidavits, has created practical difficulties. While many lawyers applauded the legislation for lowering fraud, others expressed worry that people without dependable internet access 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 means at the expense of others. In order to guarantee that everyone has access to justice, he advocates for a staged, inclusive strategy in which electronic filing enhances rather than replaces human procedures.
Nigerian courts have both technological and legal challenges when it comes to digitization. Although electronic records are recognized by the Evidence Act of 2011, there is still doubt regarding the validity and admissibility of digital evidence due to the lack of specified procedural standards.
Experts contend that comprehensive training for judges, clerks, and attorneys, strong cybersecurity measures, and legal clarity are necessary for digital court records to be genuinely useful. Without these, digitization runs the risk of being flimsy or perhaps introducing fresh weaknesses into the legal system. Nigeria’s court digitization narrative is one of fragility and promise. The EndSARS demolition revealed both how digital backups can preserve important legal memories and how physical documents can be instantly destroyed. Digital reforms have not yet reached their full potential, as seen by the uneven use of technology and the gaps in infrastructure and regulations. The CJN’s persistent demands for data security and cautious technological use are a reflection of a larger conflict: how to modernize the court without jeopardizing the rule of law, public trust, or access to justice. There are a few steps that must be taken before the judiciary may fully benefit from digitization. All courts need to institutionalize digital systems, not merely use them as test projects. To support these platforms, governments must invest in backup systems, high-speed internet, and dependable power. It is necessary to update legal frameworks to give precise instructions on data protection, digital filing, and electronic evidence. For judges, registrars, and court employees to successfully manage the digital shift, they need continual training. Additionally, systems need to be inclusive, using hybrid models to accommodate people without dependable technology or digital literacy.
Lastly, in order to avoid future losses similar to those that occurred during EndSARS, historical records need to be digitized and safely archived.
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. Infrastructure, inclusivity, and sustainability are still issues, though. Technology must be supported by steady funding, well-defined legal frameworks, and capacity building if it is to serve justice.
Then and only then will Nigeria’s courts be able to protect the country’s past and future by ensuring resilience, efficiency, and accessibility.
