Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has warned that commercial disputes in Nigeria can take nearly 13 years from filing to a final Supreme Court judgment, a delay he says threatens investment and economic growth. Speaking at the AELEX law firm’s 19th annual lecture in Lagos, Osinbajo highlighted how judicial inefficiencies, policy inconsistency, and weak enforcement have hurt investor confidence.
Citing data from the Justice Research Institute, he noted that cases spend over four years in the High Court, three years in the Court of Appeal, and more than six years at the Supreme Court. He recalled how a UK Court of Appeal once described Nigeria’s legal delays as “catastrophic.” Osinbajo also recounted how landlords in Lagos turned away from rental property investments due to endless tenant disputes and a slow judicial process.
To tackle this, he suggested reforms including digitization of courts, stronger sanctions for delays, creation of commercial courts, and limiting judicial interference in arbitration. He also called for changes to laws that hinder enforcement of judgments against government agencies.
Osinbajo further stressed that inconsistent government policies discourage both local and foreign investors. He urged cross-party collaboration to ensure policy continuity and stakeholder engagement before major reforms.
At the heart of his message was a push for people-centered governance. With nearly 70% of Nigerians under 25, he warned that failure to address youth welfare and justice would threaten national stability. He concluded by calling for unity across the executive, legislature, judiciary, and private sector to deliver meaningful reform.
