Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Life Bencher, Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, has marked 40 years since his call to the Nigerian Bar, reflecting on four decades of legal practice, service to the profession, administration of justice, national development and mentorship of younger lawyers.
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Gadzama, who was called to the Bar on October 16, 1986, commemorated the milestone on Friday, October 16, 2026, alongside members of his call set, the Class of ’86.
“Today, 16 October 2026, marks 40 years since I was called to the Nigerian Bar,” he said.
The Senior Advocate expressed gratitude to God for his professional journey and said he had remained committed over the years to contributing to the development of the legal profession and the justice system while supporting younger members of the Bar.
“I give thanks to God Almighty for the professional journey so far. Over these four decades, I have remained committed to contributing to the legal profession, the administration of justice and national development, while mentoring, guiding and supporting younger members of the Bar,” he said.
Gadzama also paid tribute to members of the Class of ’86, with whom he shares the distinction of having been called to the Nigerian Bar on October 16, 1986.
He said members of the class were gathering on October 16 and 17 to commemorate their 40th anniversary as the Centennial Class of the Nigerian Law School.
“I warmly salute my colleagues of the Class of ’86, with whom I share the distinction of having been called to the Nigerian Bar on 16 October 1986, as we gather today and tomorrow to commemorate our 40th anniversary as the Centennial Class of the Nigerian Law School,” he said.
According to Gadzama, the anniversary provides an opportunity not only to celebrate four decades at the Bar but also to reflect on the experiences of members of the class and renew their commitment to the development of Nigeria.
“This milestone is also an opportunity to celebrate the legal profession, reflect on our shared experiences over the past four decades, and reaffirm our commitment to the continued growth of our beloved country, Nigeria,” he stated.
As part of activities surrounding another personal milestone, Gadzama announced plans to engage young lawyers through a virtual interaction ahead of his 65th birthday on November 28.
“As I look forward to my 65th birthday on 28 November, I am pleased to announce that I will be hosting a Virtual Chat with Young Lawyers. Details will be announced in due course,” he said.
Gadzama, an Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and a Chartered Arbitrator.
He is the elected leader of his call class and has held several positions connected with the development and mentoring of lawyers, including serving as former Chairman of the Mentoring Committee of the Body of Benchers.
He is also the initiator of the Hon. Justice C. A. Oputa, JSC (Rtd.) Mentoring Programme for Young Lawyers and served as pioneer Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law.
His 40th anniversary at the Bar therefore comes against the background of a professional career that he said has been devoted not only to legal practice but also to mentoring, institutional development and service to the profession.
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