Niger Judiciary Boosts Small Claims Courts, Raises Limit

The Niger State Judiciary has introduced revisions to the practice direction for Small Claims Courts, aiming to enhance access to justice and strengthen public confidence in the state’s judicial system.

The update was disclosed in a statement signed by Barrister Amina Laminde Musa Saidu, Chief Registrar of the Niger State High Court. The revised direction, published in State Gazette No. 16 of 2025, supersedes the 2018 guidelines and underscores the judiciary’s commitment to expediting dispute resolution and improving court efficiency.

Among the key changes, the financial threshold for Small Claims Courts has been increased from ₦3 million to ₦5 million, enabling more litigants to pursue debt recovery and related claims efficiently and at reduced costs.

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The statement highlighted several procedural updates:

• Article 5: Service of summons has been simplified, now allowing for substituted service via email, aimed at improving clarity, transparency, and timelines while minimizing delays.
• Article 14: Appeals procedures have been streamlined to ensure rapid access to appellate review, with resolutions expected within 30 days.
• Article 15: Provides clear guidelines to facilitate court operations, ensuring consistency and efficiency in proceedings.

Barrister Saidu noted that the reforms take immediate effect, following approval by the Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima I. Abdul Malik, who affirmed that the changes reflect the judiciary’s dedication to enhancing access to justice.

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In addition, the judiciary has expanded the number of Small Claims Courts from two to fourteen, now available across magistrate courts throughout Niger State. The Chief Registrar urged all stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the new provisions to maximize the use of Small Claims Courts for straightforward debt recovery matters.