A Justice of the Supreme Court, Habeeb A. O. Abiru, has called for a major overhaul of legal education in Nigeria, warning that the unchecked production of lawyers is undermining professionalism and threatening the future of the legal profession.
Justice Abiru made the call on Saturday in Kano at the maiden symposium organised by Nureini Jimoh (SAN) Chambers, where Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Courts and legal practitioners gathered to examine emerging challenges facing legal practice in the country.
“The continuous production of lawyers without adequate infrastructure, mentoring capacity and employment opportunities is no longer sustainable,” Justice Abiru said. “Legal education must be rethought if we are serious about restoring quality and public confidence.”
He proposed that the study of law should be repositioned as a second-degree programme, noting that greater maturity and prior academic exposure would better prepare entrants for the ethical and professional demands of the Bar.
“Law is not just about learning rules; it is about character, discipline and responsibility,” he said. “These qualities are better developed when legal training is approached at a more mature stage.”
Justice Abiru also observed that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed serious weaknesses in Nigeria’s justice delivery system, particularly the slow adoption of technology. According to him, delays in court processes have driven many citizens to the media and informal platforms for dispute resolution, thereby eroding confidence in the judiciary.
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He lamented the declining quality of legal training, citing poor language skills and weak professional preparation among some practitioners.
“If we continue on this path, the profession risks losing its prestige and relevance,” he warned.
Earlier, the Chairman of the symposium, retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Abdu Aboki, described the event as timely, stressing that the legal profession is grappling with deep ethical and structural challenges.
“This gathering is a call to excellence and high ethical standards,” Justice Aboki said. “The honour of being a lawyer comes with responsibility, discipline and respect for seniority. These values must not be compromised.”
Justice Aboki congratulated the host, Nureini Jimoh, on his elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and the inauguration of an ultra-modern office complex, noting that the honour was earned through merit and consistency.
In a paper titled “The Future of Legal Practice in Nigeria: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities,” another Justice of the Supreme Court, Tijjani Abubakar, emphasised that professionalism must remain central to legal practice.
“Integrity is the foundation of the legal profession,” Justice Abubakar said. “Where professionalism is weak, justice suffers and public trust is lost.”
He called for stronger collaboration among regulatory institutions such as the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Nigerian Law School, while identifying delays in justice delivery and inconsistent judicial decisions as major challenges.
Justice Abubakar also urged young lawyers to embrace specialisation in emerging areas, including legal technology, data protection, energy law and environmental law.
Also speaking, Justice Olasumbo Goodluck of the Court of Appeal congratulated Nureini Jimoh, SAN, on his achievements and praised the initiative to create a mentoring platform for young lawyers.
“The future of the legal profession depends largely on our ethical standards,” Justice Goodluck said. “No amount of knowledge can substitute for integrity, honesty and respect for the rule of law.”
In his remarks, Nureini Jimoh, SAN, said the symposium was designed to address emerging threats facing the legal profession and promote continuous learning among practitioners.
“This initiative is about giving back and creating a space where experience can be shared honestly for the growth of the Bar,” he said, adding that the symposium would be held annually alongside quarterly lecture series.
The event attracted Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Courts, the Attorneys-General of Kano and Ondo states, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, academics, legal practitioners, government officials and members of the media.
