The criminal justice system under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is undergoing significant reforms under the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” focusing on strengthening the judiciary, decongesting prisons, and integrating technology. Key initiatives include increasing the Court of Appeal justices, enhancing welfare and, in 2026, proposing state police to improve localized security.

Key aspects of the criminal justice system under Tinubu include:
Judicial Reforms and Strengthening: Tinubu has proposed increasing the number of Court of Appeal justices from 70 to 110 to boost efficiency. His administration has also focused on providing better, digitalized, and more efficient courts, backed by a significant budgetary increase for the judiciary in his first year.
Correctional Reforms: The administration is implementing reforms aimed at reducing overcrowding in correctional facilities, including updating the Custodial and Non-Custodial Sentencing Practice Direction (2020) and enhancing the use of non-custodial measures, in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
Anti-Corruption Efforts: The EFCC, under this administration, has recorded over 7,000 convictions in two years. The President has consistently urged the judiciary to remain impartial and incorruptible.
Digitalization and Technology: There is a push to digitize courts and enhance case management, with reports indicating a roughly 30% improvement in efficiency, particularly in magistrate courts, through online filing and approval processes.
State Police Initiative: In 2026, the administration showed strong support for establishing state-level police, which is expected to allow states to handle their own security, reducing reliance on the federal government.
Controversies: The administration has faced criticism regarding the use of presidential pardons, with opponents arguing that such actions can undermine the fight against crime and the credibility of the justice system.