Legal heavyweight and thought leaders in Nigeria’s legal profession converged at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, for the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Annual Law Conference, with a resounding call for the Bar to reclaim its influence in regulating the legal sector. Themed “Redefining Standards in a Disruptive Legal Landscape,” the session was marked by candid conversations on the future of legal practice amid emerging technologies and institutional weaknesses within the profession.
Former NBA President and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, in a fiery submission, decried the Bar’s waning influence and called for an assertive role in regulating the legal industry. “The NBA should have a strong voice in regulating the legal sector. Right now, we have no say in the appointment of judges, no input in the law school system. We are like a toothless bulldog,” Agbakoba lamented. He also emphasized the need for the judiciary, particularly the Bench, to play a more active role in upholding professional standards.
Adding her voice, legal practitioner Funke Adekoya, SAN highlighted the disruptive impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the legal field, stressing the urgency for lawyers to adapt. “AI is already here, and it is changing everything. Lawyers must take responsibility and have some level of control over these changes,” she said, underscoring the need for regulatory frameworks that reflect the evolving legal ecosystem.
Dapo Otunla echoed similar sentiments, urging young lawyers to embrace solid foundational experience and not rush the process, while also calling for the responsible integration of AI in legal processes.
In a bold commentary, Mrs Harriet Balogun criticized the Bar’s current posture towards government interference, stating that “the Bar has sold its birthright.” She lamented that the Bar continues to accept funding from the government and they make rules that directly impact the legal profession. “We must get our independence back,” she said.
Also speaking, Justice Jeremiah Essien drew attention to the conduct of legal practitioners, particularly in litigation. “The rules of court already provide timeframes for filings, yet lawyers flout them and often write petitions against judges. The conduct of lawyers must be scrutinized,” he noted.
Dr Agbakoba followed up by questioning the role of the courts in the broader context of adjudication, challenging the judiciary to rise above mere procedural oversight and engage in substantive reform. As the session ended, it was clear that the call to redefine standards was not just timely but imperative as the legal profession faces both technological disruption and institutional willingness.
The panelists in the 1st Plenary session held on the 16th of June 2025 include; Hon Justice Isaac Essien (Judge of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria), Mrs Funke Adekoya, SAN (Independent Arbitrator & Litigation Consultant, Funke Adekoya & Co.), Mr Dapo Otunla (Senior Vice President & Chief Corporate Services Officer, IHS Towers). The Chair of the session was Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN (Senior Partner & Head of Arbitration and ADR, Olisa Agbakoba Legal).
