NBA Urges Immediate Reforms in Legal Education for the Sport's Future

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has urged urgent reforms in Nigeria’s legal education system, warning that the profession could become irrelevant if it does not adapt to contemporary realities. He made the appeal at the 2026 NBA Legal Education Summit, which was held under the theme “Accelerating Legal Education Reform in Nigeria: Progress, Problems & Prospects.”

Mazi Osigwe highlighted the need for a more practical, technology‑driven, competency‑based training model that can adequately prepare lawyers for 21st‑century practice. He called for stronger mentorship structures, expanded legal clinics and moot court programmes, and a move away from an overreliance on rote learning in law faculties.

The NBA President also urged greater integration of innovation, technology and entrepreneurship into legal education to better equip future lawyers for evolving professional demands.

He questioned whether the current duration required to obtain an LL.B. degree remains necessary, arguing that greater emphasis should be placed on practical skills and professional competence.

The Summit brought together legal academics, regulators, members of the bench and bar, law students and other stakeholders committed to shaping the future of legal education in Nigeria.