The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has called on young lawyers to prioritise integrity and skill to navigate the shifting demands of the legal industry.
Speaking at the NBA Young Lawyers Forum Maiduguri Branch Summit, themed “Empowering the Next Generation of Lawyers: Building Competence, Resilience, and Relevance,” Osigwe delivered a series of charges to the participants.
Osigwe stated this in a statement shared on X by the NBA on Thursday.
He said, “It has always been the clear and consistent position of the Nigerian Bar Association that lawyers cannot effectively discharge their professional duties without building and sustaining competence.
“Competence is not a matter of choice but a core professional obligation, firmly recognised under the Rules of Professional Conduct. It is competence that earns the confidence of clients, commands respect within the justice system, and ultimately sustains the relevance of lawyers in an increasingly competitive and specialised legal environment.”
The senior lawyer further said, “Relevance in the legal profession is directly tied to a lawyer’s willingness to continuously learn, adapt, and grow. Resilience in the face of economic, professional, and systemic challenges is built through knowledge, skill acquisition, and ethical practice.
“Continuous Professional Development is an indispensable tool for repositioning young lawyers for growth, excellence, and leadership in the profession.
“I am confident that these discussions and engagements will contribute meaningfully to shaping competent, resilient, and relevant lawyers for the future of the Nigerian Bar.”
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