• Nigeria court launches e-filing system to digitize case processes

• Platform enables online submissions, payments, case tracking

• Move aims to reduce delays, improve transparency in justice system

Nigeria’s Federal High Court in Lagos launched an electronic case filing system on Monday, in a move to modernize court processes and reduce delays.

“For too long, the corridors of the Federal High Court have been weighed down by mountains of paper files. Today, we declare that era over. This is not just about deploying technology; it is about removing the barriers that have historically slowed the administration of justice,” Chief Judge John Tsoho said. 

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The e-filing system allows lawyers and litigants to submit documents online without going to court offices. Files are sent directly to judges, cutting processing times that previously took several days. The platform also includes electronic payment, digital case management and tools to track case progress.

The court said the system is designed to address persistent issues such as slow procedures, lost documents and limited transparency in case management. By moving interactions onto a digital platform, authorities aim to streamline processes and improve reliability.

The rollout is part of a broader effort to digitize public services. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Nigeria scored 0.4815 out of 1 on the global e-government index in 2024, above the African average of 0.4247 but below the global average of 0.6382.

Nigeria has stepped up digitization efforts in recent years to improve the efficiency and transparency of its institutions. Recent initiatives include the launch of the 1Gov Enterprise Content Management platform in November 2025 to modernize document handling in the civil service, the development of a national single window, and the rollout in March 2026 of an artificial intelligence application aimed at improving access to government services.

Adoni Conrad Quenum