NBA Lagos Law Week 2025 Opens with Renewed Call for Ethics and Innovation in Legal Practice
Legal minds gathered in Lagos to chart a bold, ethical, and tech-aware future for law.
NBA Law Week 2025 urges lawyers to revive core values and rethink legal practice today.
The 2025 edition of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Law Week opened in grand style on Monday, June 17, with a compelling call to revive ethics, embrace innovation, and reshape the future of legal practice in Nigeria. Held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, the event marked the beginning of a week-long series of discussions and workshops aimed at redefining the essence of being a lawyer in the modern era.
This year’s theme, “Reimagining the Practice of Law: Ethics, Innovation & the Future, Let’s Be Lawyers Again,” sets the tone for a thoughtful reflection on the identity and responsibilities of legal professionals. The event gathered an esteemed group of participants, including judges of the Lagos State High Court, Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), public officials, private sector leaders, and other key stakeholders in the legal industry.
Delivering the state’s goodwill message, Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, praised the NBA Lagos Branch for curating a theme that resonates deeply with both legal practitioners and the broader society. He stressed that even as the legal profession evolves with digital transformation and technological advancements, ethics must remain its unshakable foundation.
“As lawyers, we hold the mantle of justice and the rule of law. Ethics are our profession’s moral compass,” Pedro asserted. “This theme is a timely reminder that technology may change how we work, but integrity, empathy, and service must remain constant.”
NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, also delivered a goodwill message, applauding the planning committee’s foresight and the branch’s leadership. He urged Nigerian lawyers to rededicate themselves to the values of honesty, responsibility, and professionalism. Osigwe also highlighted the recently introduced 2025 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) Rules, which require lawyers to earn a minimum of five CPD points annually as part of ongoing efforts to improve standards.
“We must reconnect with the essence of legal practice, upholding justice through integrity and professionalism,” he said. “The theme ‘Let’s Be Lawyers Again’ is more than a slogan; it is a much-needed moral reset.”
The keynote address was delivered by Richard Atkinson, KC, President of the Law Society of England & Wales, who echoed these sentiments while cautioning against excessive dependence on technology in legal work. He acknowledged the benefits of artificial intelligence and digital tools but emphasized that they should support, not replace, human judgment and legal reasoning.
“Technology is an aid, not a replacement,” Atkinson warned. “Lawyers must continue to lead with critical thinking and professional discernment.”
The opening ceremony also touched on the legal profession’s broader role in society, invoking the legacy of legal icons who have long fought for justice and civil rights. Referencing the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” speakers emphasized the duty of lawyers to confront societal wrongs and restore faith in the legal system.
The Law Week continues until June 20, with an exciting lineup of plenary sessions, masterclasses, and networking forums. Discussions will span vital topics such as rebuilding public confidence in legal institutions, the business side of law, professional regulation, and reimagining legal education to align with global standards.
As the legal community explores these important issues, the resounding message remains: while embracing innovation is essential, the Nigerian legal profession must re-anchor itself in ethics, empathy, and leadership, the very principles that define true lawyering.
