In a bold and stirring address that echoed throughout the legal community, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch, Olabisi Makanjuola, declared, “Lawyers, let’s be lawyers again!” as he opened the 2025 NBA Lagos Law Week Conference. His message, delivered to a packed audience of legal professionals, scholars, and stakeholders, emphasized a return to the core values of integrity, professionalism, and fearless advocacy that once defined the Nigerian legal profession. The conference, already billed as one of the most anticipated events on the NBA calendar, officially kicked off with his speech, which many described as a call to arms for lawyers to reclaim their role as defenders of justice and custodians of the rule of law.
Held at MUSON centre Onikan, Lagos, the 2025 edition of the annual Law Week brought together some of the brightest minds in the legal industry under the theme “Reclaiming the Nobility of the Legal Profession.” Makanjuola’s opening remarks were not just ceremonial—they set the agenda for the week, challenging legal practitioners to rise above the distractions of politics, economic uncertainty, and public distrust. With a renewed focus on ethics, competence, and collaboration, his tone-setting speech marked the beginning of what promises to be a transformative moment in the ongoing discourse about the future of legal practice in Nigeria.
Read full statement below;
Chairman’s Opening Speech at the 2025 Law Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch
On Friday, 26 July 2023, I, with my fellow members of the Executive Committee of our dear Branch set out, in our various capacities to contribute our modest quota towards achieving our institutional core objectives within our jurisdiction including: maintenance and defence of the integrity and independence of the Bar and the Judiciary; promotion of timely and affordable access to justice; promotion and support of law reform initiatives; promotion and protection of the principles of the Rule of Law and respect for Human Rights,promotion and the advancement and quality and functional Legal Education, Continuing Legal Education, Advocacy and Progressive Jurisprudence; maintenance of the highest standards of professional conduct, etiquette and discipline among lawyers; promotion of networking opportunities among the members of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Organisations, as well as associations from other countries; promotion of the welfare, security, economic, and professional advancement of Legal Practitioners in Nigeria, just to mention a few.
In short, we set out to elevate standards in the Bar. I would like to think that we have done a modest job of what we set out to do. Through our different standing and ad hoc Committees and initiatives, we have sought to be truly premier, not just in nomenclature but in blazing the trail for others to follow.
For instance, we are the first Branch to be NDPR audit compliant, as certified by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission, a testament to our commitment to upholding the highest standards of compliance across board. We collaborated with the UK law firm of Stephenson Hardwood LLP to have the first ever international exchange programme for one of our members who underwent a one-month placement in their London office and returned to share his learnings from his experience. We partnered with Uber to give members registered with the app, discounts on rides to places of interest for lawyers such as the Courts and regulatory offices. Members of our Branch can now apply for letters of good standing from the comfort of their homes and offices via our members portal. This is against the backdrop that we were also the first Branch to introduce digital payment of branch dues.
However, today is not the day to reel out the achievements of the Branch. Today and for the rest of the week, we will have candid conversations. Accordingly, it is my honour and privilege to welcome us all to the 2025 Annual Law conference of our dear branch.
Beginning from today, we will hear from distinguished lawyers of different specializations and accomplished
businessmen and professionals. These conversations will serve as a prism for us to sincerely and objectively assess our roles as lawyers. Are we merely lawyers trying to earn our fee and willing to damn any scruple in how we do so, or are we conscientious and mindful of our role as the bastions of justice and social engineers?
Do we use the law as a means of oppression to shackle the poor and defenceless or do we use it to fight for the downtrodden, not minding whose ox is gored? Is our judicial system truly a catalyst for economic investment or an impediment? How do international actors view our legal system? Is Nigeria truly ready to be
a hub for the resolution of commercial disputes be it through litigation, arbitration and other forms of ADR?
Are invested are we in the use of technology to boost our practice. These are some of the questions we seek to answer in this Conference.
But it is not all work and no play. This Conference is also spruced with many social events for us to loosen up, network and enjoy ourselves. At this point, I must thank the Conference Planning Committee Chairman, Dr. Aderemi for the good work he and his team have done. I will leave the Conference Committee Chairman to entice us in his own welcome remarks about what treats await us this week. I only ask that we listen attentively to the well-curated sessions for which continuing professional development points will be earned. A lot is in store for us.
Let’s be lawyers again!
Thank you for listening.
Olabisi Makanjuola
Chairman, NBA Lagos Branch.
