Former Minister of Works and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Babatunde Fashola, has called for stronger law enforcement, greater public accountability, and renewed commitment to security, describing them as critical foundations for good governance and national development.

Fashola made the call while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 2026 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association Ikeja Branch in Lagos.

Speaking on the theme, “Law, Leadership and the Ballot: Governance Beyond Politics,” the former Lagos governor said security and the rule of law remain the bedrock of economic growth and prosperity. He urged governments at all levels to move beyond political rhetoric and focus on enforcing existing laws while fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities.

According to him, the Constitution identifies the security and welfare of citizens as the primary purpose of government, making public safety the most important test of effective governance.

“Security and prosperity are inseparable,” Fashola said, stressing that good governance requires the prevention of crime, prosecution of offenders, and a justice system capable of protecting law-abiding citizens.

He also challenged Attorneys-General across the country to take a more active and visible role in responding to major criminal incidents, noting that public communication on security issues is often left solely to presidents and governors despite the crucial responsibilities of justice officials.

Fashola advocated stronger collaboration among the executive, legislature, and judiciary, arguing that coordinated responses to criminal activities would strengthen deterrence and improve public confidence in the legal system.

The former minister linked some governance challenges to poor compliance with existing laws, citing the widespread use of vehicles without registration plates as an example. He described vehicle identification as a basic but essential law enforcement tool that assists authorities in investigating crimes and tracking offenders.

Allowing vehicles to operate anonymously, he warned, weakens accountability and poses risks to public safety.

On governance and leadership, Fashola maintained that democracy alone does not guarantee good governance. He said governments must engage citizens, collect reliable data, and align policies and spending with the actual needs of the people.

Drawing from his tenure as governor, he recalled conducting statewide surveys to understand citizens’ priorities and using the findings to guide policy formulation and budget implementation.

He also emphasised that citizens have responsibilities under the social contract, including obeying laws, paying taxes, and supporting law enforcement efforts.

“Good governance is a shared responsibility between government and the governed,” he stated.

Fashola further advocated the use of clearer and simpler language in legal proceedings and court orders to improve public understanding and reduce misinterpretation.

Questioning the continued reliance on complex legal terminology, he suggested that courts adopt more accessible expressions that ordinary citizens can easily understand.

Using court orders as an example, he said phrases such as “status quo” could be replaced with straightforward terms like “the current situation” to make judicial decisions clearer.

“When legal orders are written in clear, accessible language, there is less room for confusion and conflicting interpretations. Too often, after a judgment is delivered, both sides emerge claiming victory. If everyone reading the same order arrives at different conclusions, then something is clearly wrong. We must do better,” he said.

Fashola concluded by urging legal practitioners to establish a task force that would develop practical recommendations on law reform, law enforcement, and regulatory compliance, stressing the need to move from identifying problems to implementing lasting solutions.

“For too long, our default response has been to identify problems and talk about them. The real challenge is whether we are prepared to do something about them,” he added.