IBA survey shows rule-of-law gap, Nigeria faces judicial, corruption worries
The International Bar Association's 2026 Rule of Law Backsliding Survey, based on responses from legal professionals in 64 countries between August and December 2025, found that while respondents rated core rule-of-law principles as extremely important (9.2-9.7 out of 10), their actual implementation was much weaker (6.2-6.8). Nigeria was included in the Africa-Middle East bloc, which contributed 15 respondents; the report did not give a Nigeria-specific breakdown. In that region, corruption was cited by 11 of 15 respondents as the main factor undermining judicial impartiality, and 53% said inappropriate interference in the judicial process was common. Globally, 83% rated access to justice before independent courts as extremely important, yet only 43% saw it well implemented. Sixty-seven percent pointed to government actors and 83% to political parties as threats to judicial independence, while 95% viewed bar associations and similar bodies as safeguards. The IBA warned that the gap between principle and practice risks eroding public trust, delaying justice and discouraging investment. For Nigerians, the findings echo long-standing concerns about court delays, perceived bias and corruption that affect everything from land disputes to commercial contracts. Strengthening judicial independence, boosting court resources and supporting professional legal bodies are seen as key steps to close the implementation gap.