The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has reiterated the imperative for discipline, ethics, and innovation within the legal profession, describing them as “non-negotiable values” for contemporary legal practice.

He made this call on Monday while delivering a powerful goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Law Week of the NBA Kaduna Branch, commending the Branch for its theme: “Strengthening the Legal Profession: Discipline, Ethics and Innovation in Contemporary Practice.”

Osigwe lauded the Branch leadership for choosing a theme that he said speaks directly to the pressing realities of legal practice in Nigeria today. “It is not only timely but fundamental to the sustenance and progress of our profession,” he said. “The theme resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities facing today’s legal practitioners and places at the center of discourse our duty not just to our clients and courts, but to society as a whole.”

He expressed concern over the rising cases of professional misconduct and the declining public trust in the legal profession, emphasizing the urgent need for self-reflection and systemic reform. “The inability of some lawyers to comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct calls for deep reflection,” he said. “These rules are not merely aspirational—they are binding. They demand both ethical conduct and a commitment to continual learning.”

The NBA President stressed that continuous professional development is not optional but a mandatory obligation for every lawyer. “Staying abreast of legal developments and innovations is part of the ethical standard we must uphold. It is the only way we can adapt meaningfully and remain relevant in an evolving legal and socio-economic landscape,” he stated.

Osigwe urged participants to approach the Law Week’s engagements as more than ceremonial events. “Let this week serve as a platform for collective recommitment to the values that define our noble profession. The times demand that we uphold discipline, deepen our ethical standards, and embrace innovation.”

He concluded by wishing the Kaduna Branch a fruitful and impactful Law Week, noting that the conversations held must lead to tangible changes in legal practice. “May the insights shared here transcend the conference halls and manifest in the everyday conduct of our professional duties,” he said.

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