NBA President Calls for Legal Education Reform in Nigeria

Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), called for urgent reforms in Nigeria's legal education system during the 2026 NBA Legal Education Summit. Speaking on the theme of accelerating legal education reform in Nigeria, Osigwe warned that the profession risks becoming irrelevant if it fails to adapt to modern realities.

He stressed the necessity for a practice-oriented, technology-driven, and competency-based legal training system to adequately prepare lawyers for 21st-century legal practice. Osigwe advocated for stronger mentorship structures, the expansion of legal clinics, and moot court programs, while also urging a shift away from excessive reliance on rote learning in law faculties.

He further questioned whether the current duration required to obtain a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree remains necessary, arguing for an emphasis on practical skills within the profession. The summit brought together legal academics, members of the bench and bar, law students, and stakeholders committed to shaping the future of legal education in Nigeria.