FRIAS Sustainable Governance Fellowship Programme

Justice Should Not Be a Privilege: Platforms and Organizations Expanding Free Legal Access in Nigeria

Every year, millions of Nigerians face legal problems ranging from land disputes to domestic violence, wrongful arrests, or tenancy issues. However, for most people, getting proper legal help feels completely out of reach. A report by HiiL Justice Needs and Satisfaction that about 81% of Nigerians experience at least one serious legal problem in a year. Yet, only 5% of these people actually turned to a lawyer. This gap is massive. In Nigeria, legal fees can range from #100,000 to as much as half a million to initiate a case, and for an average Nigerian, this is not affordable.To make things worse, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, the government body set up to provide free legal services to those who cannot afford it is severely underfunded and overstretched. In 2024, it handled just over 7,000 cases across an entire country of over 200 million people. This shows that this number is just a drop in the ocean. The result of this little number is that thousands of people remain without a lawyer and neither cannot afford to get access to one. Consequently, many of these people sit in detention, families lose their properties, and victims of abuse suffer in silence because they cannot afford representation. As of 2025, report shows that about 67% of Nigeria’s prison population, and more than 53,000 are still awaiting trial and many of these people are without any legal support. Access to justice remains a major challenge in Nigeria. In response, a growing number of platforms and organizations are working to bridge this gap by providing legal information, connecting people with lawyers, and advocating for vulnerable communities.These actors can broadly be grouped into three categories: 1) LegalTech/Justice Tech Platforms 2) Non-non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and;3) Governmental institutionsLegalTech / Justice Tech PlatformsLegalTech and Justice Tech platforms leverage technology to make legal services, legal information, and legal assistance more accessible to the public. These platforms help simplify legal processes and reduce barriers that prevent individuals from seeking legal support. Below are four LegalTech and JusticeTech platforms where you can access free legal help in Nigeria.1. TR Thrive TR Thrive is one of the most accessible legal aid platforms in Nigeria right now. It connects everyday Nigerians with top and accessible lawyers who are ready to offer pro bono (free) legal services to those who need them. A notable mention is that the platform costs absolutely nothing. Therefore, whether you are dealing with a landlord dispute, a workplace issue, a family matter, or whatever the issue could be, TR Thrive is your go-to place to seek help. TR Thrive makes it easy to get real legal assistance without worrying about how much it will cost. Also, the platform is built with the ordinary person in mind; hence, no complicated process and no hidden fees, just access to qualified lawyers who are genuinely willing to help. To access free legal services, you only need to post an order, type in your request, and you are good to go. Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) Non-governmental organizations also play a critical role in improving access to justice in Nigeria. Many NGOs work directly with vulnerable communities by providing legal aid, advocacy, and public education initiatives. Their work often focuses on protecting human rights, addressing systemic injustice, and supporting individuals who may otherwise lack access to legal representation. Here are some of these NGOs: 1. Hope Behind Bars Africa Hope Behind Bars Africa is a non-profit organization dedicated to criminal justice reform and the protection of detainees’ rights. The organization works to secure the release of individuals who have been wrongfully detained or held in prolonged pretrial detention. Through legal intervention and advocacy, it seeks to address systemic problems within Nigeria’s criminal justice system. Hope Behind Bars Africa is an organization you turn to if you or someone you know is being wrongfully detained or stuck in prolonged pretrial detention. They focus on criminal justice reform and work to secure the release of people whose rights have been violated within the system. If you are dealing with unlawful detention or know someone in that situation, they can step in through legal intervention and advocacy to push for justice. To contact Hope Behind Bars, you can visit their website: https://hopebehindbarsafrica.org or through their phone number: +234 8087176140 2. Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative (REJA) focuses on legal empowerment and access to justice for marginalized communities. The organization provides legal assistance, rights awareness programs, and advocacy initiatives aimed at helping individuals understand and assert their rights under the law. REJA is focused on helping you understand and assert your rights, especially if you are part of a marginalized or underserved community. They provide legal assistance, run awareness programs, and advocate on issues affecting access to justice. If you are unsure about your rights or need support navigating a legal issue, they help guide you and connect you to the help you need. You can contact REJA via these means:Website: https://www.partnersnigeria.orgEmail: info@partnersnigeria.org Phone: 08091257245/09098090876 Head Office Address: Number 46, Mike Akhigbe Way, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria  3. International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA Nigeria is a well-known organization that provides legal support for women and children, particularly those facing discrimination, abuse, or rights violations. Through legal aid services, advocacy, and public awareness programs, FIDA works to promote gender justice and protect the rights of vulnerable populations. They provide free legal support, representation, and advocacy services. If you are in a difficult situation and need legal backing, they can help you take action while also working more broadly to promote and protect gender rights. You can contact FIDA through any of the following means: Head Office Address: Block 1, Flat 1, Ankpa Close, Ogun Street, Area 2, Garki, Abuja FIDA Email: fidanigeria@yahoo.com FIDA Phone: +234 708 849 6115 4. Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) LEDAP is a non-governmental organization run by lawyers focused on human rights, rule of law, and good governance. They provide free legal assistance, particularly for people whose rights have been violated including cases involving unlawful detention, police brutality, and other human rights abuses. They have been active in Nigeria for many years and have observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. You can contact LEDAP via the following means.Phone: 08036913264 / +234 1 291 4123Lagos office: 11b Christ Avenue, Lekki Phase 1, LagosPort Harcourt Office Address: 2 Ezinmgbu Link Road (Last Floor), Off Stadium Road, Port HarcourtAbuja office: 4 Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, AbujaEmail: info@ledapnigeria.orgWebsite: https://ledapnigeria.org⁠5. Women Empowerment and Legal Aid Initiative (WELA) WELA is a non-governmental organization committed to protecting the rights of women, children, and other vulnerable persons in Nigeria. The organization provides free legal aid, legal representation, counselling, mediation, and advocacy services for individuals whose rights have been violated. WELA focuses particularly on issues such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, child welfare, denial of inheritance rights, and other forms of gender-based discrimination and abuse. Beyond legal services, the organisation also empowers women through vocational training, advocacy campaigns, and rights awareness programmes. The organisation was founded by Mrs. Funmi Falana, SAN, and has become one of the notable NGOs in Nigeria working to improve access to justice for underprivileged women and children. You can contact WELA via these means:Website: https://welaonline.org⁠Phone: 07055802420 Lagos Office: 25 Adekunle Fajuyi Way, GRA-Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria Abuja Office: 22 Mediterranean Street, Imani Estate, Off Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama District, Abuja Government Institutions 1. Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON) Worthy of mention is LACON. LACON is the government's official body for free legal services. If your income is at or below the national minimum wage, you are legally entitled to their services. They handle criminal defence, civil cases, and can provide legal advice and representation. While they are underfunded and may not be able to help everyone, they are still a legitimate option especially for people who have been arrested or are facing criminal charges. You can contact LACON via the following means:Head Office Address: 22 Port Harcourt Crescent, Off Gimbiya Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja Phone Numbers: 09030436616, 07031915990 Alternative Numbers: 0807 216 6972, 0705 315 9103 Email: info@legalaidcouncil.gov.ng Website: www.legalaidcouncil.gov.ng⁠ Finally, you do not have to face that legal issue alone. In fact, legal problems do not wait for you to save up enough money. Therefore, if you are going through something right now, do not assume that free legal help is beyond your reach. You can start with TR Thrive. It is free and accessible, and lawyers are willing and ready to help you.