Who We Are
Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI) Nigeria was established on 16th October 2003. It is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission Nigeria as NULAI Nigeria (Limited by Guarantee – RC650698), a non-governmental, non-profit and non-political organization committed to promoting clinical legal education, legal education reform, legal aid and access to justice.
THEORY OF CHANGE
OUR VISION
To promote and sustain the development of clinical legal education, reform of legal education and enhance legal aid and access to justice.
OUR MISSION
To build a network of cohesive university-based law clinics providing pro-bono legal services to the indigent and underserved; while training a new generation of skilled law students committed to public service and justice.
OUR OBJECTIVES
- Generating sufficient interest in the legal education sector to encourage universities and law schools to set up law clinics; and reform legal education.
- Providing –
a. technical and institutional support to university/law school law clinics.
b. a medium for exchange of ideas and peer review among law clinics.
c. a link between and among law clinics and relevant institutions in Nigeria and similar organizations.
d. access to training for law teachers. - Assisting law clinics to develop and sustain human rights based programmes such as human rights education, legal aid and access to justice that impacts on community development.
- Promoting a culture of public/community service in budding lawyers.
PARTNERSHIPS
Funding partners over the years include: Open Society Foundations (OSF); Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA); Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI); US Embassy Nigeria; Global Alliance for Justice Education (GAJE); United Nation Democracy Fund; MacArthur Foundation; Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria.
Institutional partners include Legal Aid Council of Nigeria; Nigeria Correctional Service; and Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC). NULAI is currently a Statutory member of the ACJMC as the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) representative.
Civil Society partners include: Rights Enforcement and Public Law Centre REPLACE; Justice Research Institute; Breath of Fresh Air; Action for Justice; and Foundation for Social Justice.