The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch, the Premier Bar, is now hosting its much-anticipated ‘Annual Law Week’ (Saturday, June 14 to Friday, June 20, 2025).
With the overarching theme “Reimagining the Practice of Law: Ethics, Innovation, and the Future of Legal Services,” the weeklong event promises to be a defining moment for legal practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders seeking to shape the future of legal practice in Nigeria and beyond. In a press briefing ahead of the event, Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Chairman of the Law Week Planning Committee, unveiled the sub-theme, “Let’s Be Lawyers Again”—a bold and reflective statement calling for a revival of the profession’s ethical foundation.
“This year’s theme is both a challenge and a call to action,” Aderemi said. “It is an opportunity to interrogate our values, renew our commitment to justice, and reimagine a legal future that is honest, inclusive, and technology-driven.”
The 2025 Law Week will commence with a symbolic Advocacy Walk through central Lagos. This will be followed by a Family Fun Day, celebrating not just the legal profession but the families that support it.
According to the NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Olabisi Makanjuola, the opening weekend will set the tone for a week that “reaffirms the Bar’s relevance to society.” Among the week’s many highlights is the keynote address by Mr. Richard Atkinson, President of the Law Society of England and Wales.
Known for his progressive stance on legal reforms and regulatory agility, Atkinson is expected to share insights on the globalisation of legal services, the ethical challenges of AI in law, and how the Nigerian legal sector can harness innovation to remain competitive. The conference will also feature high-powered plenary sessions, beginning with “Ethics Meets Innovation: Navigating the Future of Law in a Digital Age.”
Speakers include legal heavyweights such as Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, former NBA President; Funke Adekoya, SAN, senior partner at Aelex; and Hon. Justice Benedict Kanyip, President of the National Industrial Court. Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the current NBA National President, is also billed to address the forum. Dr. Aderemi emphasized that this year’s sessions will not be “talk shops,” but deeply practical.
“We’re introducing Masterclasses across sectors—data protection, entertainment law, ESG & sustainability, and renewable energy law,” he explained. “Each one is designed to give lawyers tools they can use in real time.”
One of the most anticipated features is the Regulatory Clinic scheduled for Day 4. Designed as a first-of-its-kind interface, the clinic will facilitate live engagement between lawyers and representatives from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Lagos State Lands Bureau, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The aim is to clarify regulatory ambiguities, offer solutions to bottlenecks, and foster long-term collaboration between the Bar and regulators. Equally significant is the Branch Aspirants’ Forum, where candidates vying for the position of Lagos Branch Chairman and other executive offices will openly debate their visions.
The session is expected to strengthen transparency, accountability, and voter education within the Bar. Other key forums during the week include a Young Lawyers’ Day, In-House Counsel Forum, and Judicial Engagement Sessions, each curated to address specific challenges and opportunities within their constituencies.
The Young Lawyers’ Forum will particularly focus on mentorship, personal branding, and the importance of professional discipline in early practice. In a symbolic act of unity and purpose, all attendees will be invited to take part in an Ethical Oath Declaration Ceremony, followed by the presentation of the Ethical Icon Award to a distinguished member of the Bar whose career exemplifies integrity, courage, and service to justice.
Social activities will punctuate the formal agenda. From the Elders’ Night, where the Branch will celebrate senior members of the Bar, to the Chairman’s Dinner and Closing Party, the week is designed to be as rejuvenating as it is intellectually fulfilling.
At the pre-event press conference, Chair Makanjuola proudly reflected on the Lagos Branch’s recent achievements, including the procurement of an 18-seater Bar bus, installation of solar infrastructure at the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, and expansion of the Human Rights Committee’s mandate. “We’ve done the work,” he said.
“Now, Law Week is where we showcase, reflect, and recalibrate.” The 2025 NBA Lagos Law Week, expected to attract over 1,000 legal practitioners, promises more than discussion—it promises direction.
As the legal community gathers under the MUSON Centre’s roof and across virtual channels, a collective spirit is rising: one that honours the noble tradition of law while embracing the tools and ethics needed to confront the challenges of tomorrow. As Dr. Aderemi aptly concluded: “This is not just a conference.
“It is a movement to rebuild our profession, refocus our mission, and restore our pride in being lawyers.”
