The Federal Government has reviewed 932 federal laws and identified 269 as obsolete, spent or repealed in a move to update the country’s legal framework for the first time in more than two decades.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the presentation of the report of the Committee on the Review, Update and Consolidation of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2025.
Fagbemi said 663 of the 932 federal enactments examined by the committee, alongside their relevant subsidiary legislation, had been identified for inclusion in the proposed 2025 edition of the Laws of the Federation.
He explained that the exercise became necessary because Nigeria’s last official consolidation of federal laws was conducted in 2004, leaving more than 20 years of legislative amendments, new enactments and institutional developments without a comprehensive consolidation.
According to him, the prolonged gap had made it imperative to review the country’s existing laws, remove obsolete provisions, address inconsistencies and overlaps, and produce an updated and accessible legal framework.
The Attorney-General said he constituted the committee on October 24, 2024, with a mandate to examine federal enactments and subsidiary legislation, identify repealed and outdated laws, and produce an authoritative edition of the Laws of the Federation.
He described the assignment as an extensive exercise involving legal research, legislative analysis, technical coordination and editorial work.
Fagbemi disclosed that the committee carried out its assignment through 14 thematic working groups, supported by retreats and technical engagements aimed at harmonising findings and ensuring the accuracy of the proposed publication.
He also acknowledged the contributions of development partners and collaborating institutions, including the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme, the Law Commission of England and Wales, LexisNexis South Africa, the Lagos State Law Reform Commission and Law Pavilion.
The minister, however, stated that the report would still require further legislative consideration before the updated laws could be officially published.
He said the next step would be the presentation of the report to President Bola Tinubu for onward transmission to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative consideration and action.
Fagbemi appealed to lawmakers, particularly members of the National Assembly present at the event, to support the timely consideration of the proposed legislative measures.
He emphasised that the successful completion of the exercise would require cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.
The Attorney-General further warned against allowing another prolonged gap in the consolidation of Nigeria’s laws, saying the government must establish a sustainable mechanism for periodic reviews and updates.
He said the country needed stronger systems to track new legislation, amendments and subsidiary laws to ensure that the legal framework remained relevant to emerging developments.
According to Fagbemi, the ultimate objective is to establish a modern, coherent and accessible body of laws capable of strengthening the administration of justice, promoting the rule of law, protecting citizens’ rights and supporting national development and security.
