Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stressed the need for effective collaboration with civil society organisations to sustain institutional reforms, speaking at the 20th anniversary of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies in Abuja.

Represented by his aide Ade Ipaye, Osinbajo said reforms had to be sustained through continuous engagement, and praised the centre for ensuring that reforms translated into meaningful outcomes for citizens. He recalled that the centre emerged two decades ago at a critical point in Nigeria’s democratic journey, when the justice sector faced institutional weaknesses and delays.

He described the centre as one of Nigeria’s most respected voices in justice sector reform, noting that challenges around access to justice, efficiency and public trust continued to evolve, and encouraged it to harness emerging technologies over the next two decades. The event drew figures including former Court of Appeal President Zainab Bulkachuwa.

Centre President Yemi Akinseye-George urged the government to limit daily cash withdrawals to curb kidnapping and banditry, arguing that reducing large volumes of cash in the economy, alongside stricter anti-money-laundering enforcement, would constrain criminals’ ability to collect ransoms. He also called for a whistleblower programme, comprehensive vehicle registration and mandatory CCTV at filling stations.

He said technology should become central to national security through drones and integrated monitoring, and that Nigeria must address the socio-economic conditions fuelling crime through investment in education, youth empowerment and jobs. Among those honoured at the event were THISDAY Newspaper and its judiciary correspondent.