Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, FCIArb(UK), has called for urgent reforms within Nigeria’s legal institutions, warning that weak systems inevitably produce underperforming professionals.

Speaking at the recently concluded 2025 NBA Ikeja Branch Law Week, Akangbe delivered a sobering address on the theme: “The Fall in the Standard of the Legal Profession: Who Do We Blame?” He urged members of the legal community to engage in self-reflection and institutional scrutiny.

“If the institution is weak in itself, it can only produce weak individuals, weak people,” Akangbe said, underscoring the need for structural integrity as the foundation of professional excellence.

He identified institutional failure as a core reason for the declining standards in the legal profession, noting that capable individuals cannot thrive in a system plagued by inefficiencies, lack of accountability, and poor leadership.

Akangbe stressed that rebuilding trust and capacity in the legal profession will require “honest conversations” and a collective effort to reform and strengthen the frameworks that underpin legal practice in Nigeria.

“As we continue to reflect on the future of the legal profession, we must not shy away from holding our institutions accountable. Reform begins with honest conversations,” he added.

The Senior Advocate concluded his remarks with a call to action, reminding legal professionals of their duty to “elevate the bar” and commit to sustainable reforms that will uphold the integrity of the legal system for future generations.

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