RismadarVoice Reporters
May 26, 2026
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s legal education system to align it with global trends, technological advancement, and modern professional demands.
Osigwe made the call while speaking at the 2026 NBA Legal Education Summit themed “ Accelerating Legal Education Reform in Nigeria: Progress, Problems & Prospects.”
He warned that without immediate reforms, the country risks producing law graduates who are ill-prepared for contemporary legal practice and emerging global challenges.
According to him, legal education in Nigeria must move beyond theoretical instruction to a more practical, technology-driven, and skills-based model capable of producing innovative and solution-oriented lawyers.
The NBA President expressed concern over what he described as the declining level of practical exposure among young lawyers, noting that many are called to the Bar without adequate mentorship, pupillage, or structured professional guidance.
He said this gap in training requires urgent attention to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of the legal profession in the country.
Osigwe also called for deeper discussions on the structure and duration of legal education in Nigeria, questioning whether the current framework adequately prepares graduates for modern practice.
He emphasised the need to prioritise competencies such as advocacy skills, critical thinking, innovation, and problem-solving in legal training.
The NBA President advocated the integration of legal clinics, moot courts, workshops, entrepreneurship training, and technology-assisted learning into the curriculum to better equip future lawyers.
He further noted that legal education reform is essential not only for the legal profession but also for improving justice delivery, strengthening institutions, and advancing national development.
Osigwe commended the NBA Legal Education Committee for organising the summit, describing it as a timely platform for critical engagement on the future of legal training in Nigeria.
He urged stakeholders to act decisively, stressing that the time to rethink legal education in the country is now.
