Nigerian Lawyers Urged to Uphold Ethics and Embrace Innovation

By Ladan Nasidi, kano

Legal practitioners in Nigeria have been urged to recommit themselves to professionalism, ethical standards and continuous learning in order to safeguard the future of the legal profession.

The call was made on Saturday in Kano during the inauguration of Nureini Jimoh, SAN Chambers and its maiden symposium, held at the firm’s newly opened office on Gidado Road. The event drew leading jurists, Senior Advocates of Nigeria and other key legal stakeholders from across the country.

Chairman of the symposium, retired Justice Abdu Aboki, described the initiative as the first of its kind in Kano and commended Mr. Nureini Jimoh, SAN, for his vision and dedication to societal development. He said the symposium represented a practical contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s legal system, describing Jimoh as honest, disciplined and committed to service.

Justice Aboki called on senior members of the bar to intensify mentorship of younger lawyers as a way of addressing declining professional standards and promoting respect for the rule of law. He also praised the chambers for naming sections of its building after distinguished legal practitioners, noting that the future of Nigeria’s justice system depends on individuals and institutions devoted to effective justice delivery.

Speaking on the future of legal practice in Nigeria, Supreme Court Justice Tijjani Abubakar said the profession must adapt to emerging realities such as digitalisation, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. While acknowledging the growing relevance of artificial intelligence, he stressed that it should remain a support tool rather than a substitute for professional judgment. He advocated closer collaboration among the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Law School and other stakeholders, as well as greater specialization and empowerment of young lawyers.

In his contribution, Justice Habeeb Abiru warned that the legal profession was facing serious ethical challenges, driven partly by economic pressures and the increasing number of practitioners. He urged lawyers to uphold the dignity of the profession, strengthen professional partnerships and continuously update their knowledge and skills to remain relevant and preserve core professional values.