Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Institute of Continuing Legal Education (NBA-ICLE), was invited by the International Bar Association to speak at its African Regional Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, taking place from September 13th to 15th, 2023.
Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe was invited to share his insights on the NBA-ICLE model as a blueprint for Bar Associations across Africa and on the impact of continuing legal education on the training and prosperity of the 21st century lawyer. The invitation to speak at the event is regarded by many observers as a significant recognition of the pioneering efforts and achievements of the NBA-ICLE under the leadership of Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe.
Speaking at the event earlier today, Tobenna focused on the need for Bar Associations around Africa to advocate for the expansion of knowledge beyond traditional legal education and emphasised the pivotal roles that continuing learning and capacity building play in the advancement and empowerment of lawyers.
“The world has become a global village, and legal services can now be offered to clients anywhere in the world from any location that you find yourself. Lawyers should therefore commit themselves to developing new skills and staying up-to-date with global developments that are important to clients across different sectors. We must develop capacity beyond the traditional areas of practice in order to add real value to our clients and compete favourably with our peers anywhere in the world. That is what we have been doing at the NBA-ICLE over the last three years, and we encourage other Bar Associations to follow suit.” Mr. Erojikwe said.
Mr. Erojikwe’s leadership of NBA-ICLE has significantly contributed to legal education and capacity building in Nigeria. Under his leadership, the NBA-ICLE has offered high-quality, cost-free training to about 50,000 lawyers, earning acclaim for its transformative impact on the Nigerian legal profession.