The Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers Forum (NBA-YLF) session, titled “Position, Build, Thrive: Navigating Competition, Mentorship and Opportunity as a Young Lawyer,” held on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, during the NBA Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, examined how young lawyers can build sustainable careers in a competitive and changing profession.
The session featured Emokiniovo Dafe-Akpedeye as lead speaker, with Desmond Orisewezie, Ikechukwu Obialor, Umar Faruq Hussain, Onyinye K. Omenugha, Abila Deinmobowei and Muhammed Ndakudu Adam as panellists.
Dafe-Akpedeye structured the discussion around three pillars: Position, Build and Thrive. She encouraged young lawyers to assess their interests and abilities, identify areas in which they could create value and deliberately develop the competence required to support their chosen direction. She also stressed the importance of understanding the commercial realities behind clients’ legal problems and providing practical, client-focused advice.
The speaker urged young lawyers to build meaningful professional relationships, seek mentors and contribute value to those relationships. She also encouraged them to embrace technology, including artificial intelligence, while observing professional and ethical obligations. Since law is a long-term profession, she cautioned against shortcuts that compromise competence, reputation or integrity.
As a practical roadmap, participants were encouraged to audit their skills and identify potential mentors within 30 days; publish substantive work, join relevant professional bodies and build wider networks within six months; and pursue speaking opportunities, thought leadership and a signature work product within 12 months.
The panel discussion focused on the realities of early legal practice, including competence, remuneration, career progression, mentorship and wellbeing. Panellists advised young lawyers to prioritise substance over visibility, seek environments that provide quality learning opportunities and continually update their knowledge. They noted that technical excellence is essential but should be complemented by commercial awareness and an understanding of the business of law.
On remuneration, the discussion acknowledged concerns about poor pay in some areas of practice and the need for appropriate compensation. Young lawyers were nevertheless encouraged to develop valuable skills and demonstrate their contribution, thereby strengthening their ability to negotiate better terms.
The panellists also advised lawyers to assess whether their workplaces provide opportunities for growth and whether they support their mental wellbeing before deciding whether to stay, negotiate or move. While legal practice is demanding, unsustainable workloads should not be normalised. Both lawyers and employers have responsibilities in creating healthier and more supportive work environments.
Mentorship was presented as a relationship built on consistency, reliability and mutual value. Young lawyers were encouraged not to approach senior colleagues only for access or opportunities, but to demonstrate that they can contribute meaningfully.
The session concluded with the unveiling of the NBA Young Lawyers Forum Journal, Lex et Populi: Law and the People, as well as the NBA Young Lawyers Forum magazine. The unveiling marked another milestone for the Forum in providing platforms for young lawyers to contribute to legal discourse, share ideas and engage with issues affecting the profession and society.
The NBA Young Lawyers Forum Governing Council (2024–2026) also presented Award of appreciation to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, and other distinguished senior members of the profession in recognition of their support for the Forum and its activities.
The central message of the session was that young lawyers must deliberately position themselves, build competence and relationships, and remain adaptable if they are to thrive in a changing legal profession.
