A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN NIGERIA AND INDIA
Keywords:
Juvenile Justice System, Child Justice Administration, Juvenile Delinquency, Criminal Responsibility of Minors, Age of Criminal Responsibility Child Protection Law.Abstract
The administration of juvenile justice remained a critical measure of a legal system’s commitment
to child protection and social order. Juvenile justice reflected the extent to which a legal system balanced
the rights of the child, rehabilitation, and accountability. This paper presented a comparative analysis of
the juvenile justice systems in Nigeria and India, examining their statutory frameworks, institutional
structures, and practical application. The doctrinal methodology was adopted. The paper found that both
jurisdictions recognized rehabilitation and the best interests of the child, yet faced persistent challenges.
In Nigeria, uneven domestication of child rights legislation affected uniform enforcement, while in India,
implementation gaps and increased punitive tendencies raised concerns. Notwithstanding these issues, both
systems demonstrated convergence in diversionary measures and reintegration goals. The paper concluded
that a rights-based and welfare-oriented approach was essential to effective juvenile justice administration
and recommended strengthening institutional capacity, ensuring uniform application of laws, and
reinforcing restorative justice mechanisms.
