Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, has said that many young lawyers fall into confusion and disillusionment immediately after law school due to systemic failures within the legal ecosystem.

Speaking at the maiden Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) Kano Summit, Akangbe noted that although many law students look forward to entering practice with high expectations, the reality they meet often pushes them out of the profession or even out of the country.

“Taking it from what the moderator said, that a lot of people come out of law school to a state of confusion. And I think it is a good thing if you are confused as to what to do. When you are in university and in law school, you are looking forward to paradise when you step into practice. But when you get there, you realize that it is not the case,” he said.

Akangbe emphasised that the disenchantment experienced by young lawyers is largely due to structural deficiencies rather than personal failings. “A lot of people become disenchanted. And to many, that is one of the reasons that leads them out of the country. Some have to leave the profession to go into other fields. It is not their fault. I say that I blame the system,” he stated.

The Senior Advocate described his participation at the summit as an honour, highlighting the value of discussions held with emerging legal professionals on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in modern legal practice.

“I had the privilege of engaging with young lawyers on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in modern legal practice and the key steps every new wig must take to build a successful and impactful career,” he said.

According to him, the energy and curiosity of the participants reaffirmed his confidence in the future of the profession. He said conversations on AI its possibilities, challenges, and its inevitable influence on legal work were particularly impactful and crucial for preparing young lawyers for the future.

“The conversations were rich and deeply inspiring. The openness displayed by the young lawyers reaffirmed my confidence in the future of our profession,” he added.

Akangbe expressed optimism about future editions of the YLF–Kano Summit and reiterated his commitment to continued engagement with the next generation of lawyers.

“I look forward with great enthusiasm to future editions of this remarkable summit and to continued engagement with the next generation of lawyers who will shape the profession,” he said.

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