The United States government has raised concerns about Nigeria’s justice delivery, security, and protection of child rights, highlighting challenges that continue to affect the country despite ongoing reforms.
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In its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2024, the US Department of State noted that issues such as enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and prolonged pre-trial custody remain significant setbacks for Nigeria’s legal system.
According to the report, some suspects spend longer periods in detention than the maximum sentence for their alleged crimes, while systemic problems such as shortage of judges, corruption, political interference, and bureaucratic bottlenecks contribute to judicial delays. Bail is also said to be applied inconsistently, with some detainees kept incommunicado or held indefinitely without trial.
On the economic front, the US pointed out that Nigeria’s recently approved minimum wage of N70,000 has been eroded by the naira’s depreciation, which now trades at more than N1,500 to the dollar. This reduces the wage’s value to less than $50 a month. In addition, employers with fewer than 25 staff are exempted from the law, further limiting its reach.
The report also highlighted concerns about child rights, especially early marriage. Although federal law sets 18 years as the minimum marriage age, some states still permit marriages for girls as young as 11 under customary and religious laws. The US noted that the Nigerian government is working with domestic and international partners to tackle the issue.
Responding to the concerns, the Nigerian Presidency maintained that steps are being taken to strengthen the judicial process, particularly in reducing pre-trial delays. It also stressed that security agencies are now working in closer coordination, leading to improved results in combating insecurity. On the economy, the Presidency said the naira has shown signs of stabilization and that macroeconomic indicators point to a gradual recovery.
