As CJN, Justice Kekere-Ekun Warns that Law Is the Guardian of Stability

The Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) on Tuesday, December 2, held its 2025 Fellows’ Lecture and 19th Conferment of Honorary Fellowships at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, marking a significant moment in legal scholarship and national development. The event celebrated four distinguished figures whose contributions have shaped Nigerian law, while also deepening discussions on the role of law in guiding the nation’s political and economic trajectory.

In his opening remarks, NIALS Director General, Professor Abdulqadir Ibrahim Abikan, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to excellence and societal transformation. He described the Fellows’ Lecture as “a cornerstone for fostering scholarly debates and bolstering intellectual rigor within our legal framework,” noting NIALS’s central role in advancing legal education and policy innovation.

The highlight of the ceremony was the conferment of Honorary Fellowships on four eminent figures, recognized for their intellectual impact, ethical leadership, and public service:

  • Chief Kanu Godwin Agabi, SAN: Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, celebrated for his incisive legal mind and contributions to constitutional development.
  • Mr. Muhammed Bello Adoke, SAN: Former Attorney General, honored for his work in legal reforms and international arbitration.
  • Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan: Immediate past Director General of NIALS, acknowledged for strengthening the institute’s research mandate and global presence.
  • Mallam Yusuf Ali, SAN: Renowned advocate and philanthropist, recognized for his pro bono service and mentorship in legal practice.

These awards, the 19th in the series, reflect NIALS’s longstanding commitment to honoring individuals who bridge legal scholarship with national service.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who served as Special Guest of Honour, delivered the keynote address on the theme: “Law, Politics, and Economic Development: Nigeria at Crossroads.” In her speech, she painted a vivid picture of Nigeria’s current socioeconomic challenges—including inflation, insecurity, and institutional fragility arguing that the rule of law remains the essential foundation for national stability and growth.

Mr. George Etomi and CJN Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun at the event

“The law is the guardian of political stability, the guarantor of economic confidence, and the balancer of societal freedoms and duties,” the CJN stated. She urged the judiciary to intensify efforts toward swift and impartial justice, warning that weakening legal institutions could worsen national instability. She further emphasized that the present moment requires deploying the law “not just as a shield, but as a sword for equitable development,” and called for strengthened judicial independence and stronger anti-corruption measures.

Guest Lecturer, Mr. George Etomi, a respected legal practitioner and governance expert, provided a sharp assessment of Nigeria’s governance landscape. Citing the country’s poor ranking on the global Rule of Law Index, Etomi attributed the decline to weak institutions, electoral misconduct, and a pervasive public distrust that hinders development.

He examined issues across key sectors oil and gas, telecommunications, and banking—arguing that opacity, poor regulation, and patronage-driven governance have eroded public confidence. According to him, electoral distrust driven by alleged manipulations undermines democratic legitimacy, while economic policies collapse without transparent implementation.

Etomi proposed a practical reform blueprint centered on institutional strengthening through digital transparency, independent audits to enforce accountability, and a renewed commitment to ethical leadership. “Good governance is not a luxury; it is the engine of sustainable development,” he said, urging Nigeria to move from a crossroads to a point of convergence where law effectively bridges politics and prosperity.

Responding on behalf of the honorees, Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan expressed deep appreciation to NIALS for the recognition. He described the fellowship as “a testament to the power of collaborative scholarship,” and commended Professor Abikan’s leadership in sustaining the Fellows’ Lecture series as a forum critical to Nigeria’s legal advancement.

The event, attended by leading jurists, academics, policymakers, and dignitaries, reaffirmed NIALS’s status as a premier center for advanced legal studies. As Nigeria confronts a pivotal moment in its development journey, the 2025 Fellows’ Lecture served both as a celebration of excellence and a clarion call for the law to guide the nation toward a more stable and prosperous future.

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