Retired Justice to the Supreme Court, Amina Adamu Augie, has called for a greater emphasis on competence over tokenism in the appointment and advancement of women in the legal profession.
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She made the call on Tuesday during a fireside chat at the opening of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF) Annual Conference, which commenced in Abuja.
The day began with a colourful sportswear parade at the NBA National Secretariat, symbolising unity and energy among the female legal community.
The two-day conference drew an array of notable female jurists and legal practitioners, including Justice Binta Nyako, among others.
Delivering a welcome address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, described Justice Augie as a most fitting guest of honour.
She praised her legacy as one who rose through the ranks — from magistrate to legal academic, Supreme Court Justice, and now a traditional leader.
“She has walked the full path — as a legal scholar, a justice of the Supreme Court, and now a community leader. Her voice is one of rare experience,” Justice Kekere-Ekun remarked.
In a candid conversation, Justice Augie recounted her formative years, admitting that her fear of the courtroom began during a moot court session in law school.
“I laughed during the session and was told off by the then judge of the moot court. That experience triggered a fear of the courtroom,” she said. “Ironically, it became my natural habitat.”
She underscored the importance of focus and self-belief for women navigating the legal profession.
She added, “If one person can break the barriers, then it’s possible for others. You must have a sense of direction and be willing to adapt.”
Speaking on the gender imbalance in the judiciary, Justice Augie warned against relying solely on quotas or affirmative action.
“If we say 20 or 50 percent of judicial roles should go to women, who vets them? If the panels are male-dominated and there’s no merit-based process, lobbying and compromise may follow,” she cautioned. “Competence must come before any other issue.”
She also highlighted the differences in judicial perspectives between men and women, particularly in sensitive cases such as divorce, noting, “Men and women don’t always see issues the same way. That difference influences judgments, especially on family matters.”
Justice Augie reflected on the additional expectations placed on women in law, stressing the need for multitasking.
She said, “Women have to juggle their careers and homes. Sometimes you must pause to raise your children. It’s a reality many of us faced.”
Addressing the psychological struggles of women in leadership, she identified what she termed a “Cinderella complex” — a form of inner doubt shaped by societal dependence. “No matter how high you rise, you still wrestle with it quietly.”
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