Federal Government Reviews 932 Laws Drops 269 Obsolete Enactments

According To Punch Newspapers, On Thursday 12th November, 2026, The Federal Government has reviewed 932 federal enactments and 731 subsidiary legislations, identifying 269 laws considered obsolete, spent or repealed for exclusion from the proposed 2025 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the presentation of the final report of the Committee on the Review, Update and Consolidation of the Laws of the Federation.

Fagbemi explained that the review was aimed at updating Nigeria legal framework, eliminating outdated provisions and ensuring that the country laws reflect current realities. According to him, 663 of the 932 federal enactments examined, alongside their relevant subsidiary legislations, had been identified for inclusion in the revised edition, while 269 were classified as obsolete, spent or repealed.

The exercise is expected to provide a more accurate and comprehensive collection of federal laws, making it easier for government institutions, legal practitioners, researchers and members of the public to access applicable legislation. The committee was chaired by Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, who presented the final report to the Attorney General in Abuja.

The review forms part of the Federal Government efforts to strengthen the administration of justice and improve the accessibility and reliability of Nigeria legal system. The consolidation of existing laws is also expected to address challenges associated with outdated legislation, overlapping provisions and difficulties in identifying laws that remain in force.

The proposed 2025 edition of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria is expected to serve as an updated legal reference for public institutions, the judiciary, lawyers and other stakeholders. The presentation was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jedy Agba, alongside other officials of the ministry.

The Federal Government move underscores the importance of periodically reviewing the country legal framework to ensure that legislation remains relevant, effective and consistent with contemporary governance requirements. When completed, the revised compilation is expected to provide stakeholders with a clearer understanding of applicable federal laws and support more efficient legal administration across the country.

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