Senior Advocate of Nigeria and candidate in the NBA presidential election, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s legal education system to better prepare lawyers for the realities of modern legal practice.
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Akangbe spoke at the 2026 Legal Education Summit, where he delivered a presentation on the theme, “Accelerating Legal Education Reform in Nigeria: Progress, Problems and Prospects.”
He said the future of the legal profession cannot be properly discussed without addressing the current challenges confronting Nigerian lawyers, especially young practitioners entering the profession.
According to him, there is an urgent need to bridge the gap between legal education and the realities of practice by equipping lawyers with sound legal knowledge, practical skills, technological competence, entrepreneurial capacity and a commitment to continuous professional development.
Akangbe noted that although Nigeria has made progress in legal education over the years, significant challenges remain in the transition from classroom learning to active legal practice.
He said many young lawyers continue to struggle with employability, mentorship, capacity development, welfare and access to professional opportunities.
The senior advocate stressed that members of the legal profession must be willing to engage in honest conversations about these challenges and work collectively towards sustainable solutions.
He said the future of the Nigerian Bar depends largely on the quality of legal education provided today and the reforms stakeholders are prepared to champion for tomorrow.
Akangbe also stated that leadership within the Bar must be driven by ideas, vision, competence and genuine commitment to addressing the issues affecting lawyers at every stage of their careers.
According to him, the profession deserves leaders who are prepared to engage with substance, strengthen institutions, expand opportunities and build a Bar that works for all.
“The Nigerian lawyer of today is seeking more than promises. They seek opportunity, capacity, inclusion, professional growth and a Bar that responds to the realities of modern practice,” he said.
He maintained that the aspirations of lawyers must remain central to reform efforts within the profession.
Akangbe added that the future of the Nigerian Bar would not be secured by rhetoric alone, but through meaningful reforms, capacity building, institutional strengthening and a shared commitment to excellence.
He reaffirmed his commitment to advancing conversations and supporting initiatives that would position Nigerian lawyers to compete and succeed in a rapidly evolving global legal environment.
He said building a stronger, more relevant and more inclusive Bar requires collective effort, visionary leadership and practical reforms that respond to the challenges and opportunities of the future.
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