At the 2025 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP), held in the city of Jos, Plateau State, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, delivered a profound and thought-provoking welcome address that set the tone for the event.
Read More: NBA-SLP ANNUAL CONFERENCE – JOS 2025
The conference, themed “Uncommon Challenges in a Rapidly Changing Legal Environment,” brought together legal practitioners, jurists, scholars, and thought leaders from across the country to interrogate the pressing challenges confronting legal practice in the 21st century and explore innovative solutions that would strengthen the justice sector in Nigeria.
A Call to Reform Nigeria’s Appellate System
In his address, the Learned Silk did not shy away from addressing a critical issue affecting the administration of justice—the congestion of the Supreme Court. He observed that the apex court is currently inundated with appeals, many of which ought to have been resolved finally at the Court of Appeal or other lower courts.
According to Mazi Osigwe, this situation not only delays justice but also distracts the Supreme Court from its primary function: resolving constitutional questions and establishing legal precedents.
He called on stakeholders to re-examine Nigeria’s appellate framework and advocate for reforms that would reposition the Supreme Court as a true court of last resort. The President’s call echoes a growing consensus within the legal community on the need for appellate reform as a means of restoring the efficiency and prestige of the judiciary’s highest court.
Judicial Digitization: Bridging the Technological Gap
Another cornerstone of the NBA President’s address was a passionate appeal for the full digitization of court operations in Nigeria. He decried the current inefficiencies associated with manual court filings and the limited accessibility of judgments.
Mazi Osigwe questioned why, in an era driven by digital technology, court judgments are still not readily available to litigants, lawyers, or the public in a timely manner.
He recommended the establishment of a centralized and functional digital infrastructure across all tiers of courts to facilitate electronic filing (e-filing) of court processes, virtual hearings, and the immediate publication of court decisions.
He specifically lauded the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) as a model of digital transformation within the judiciary, urging other courts to emulate its success.
Advancing Legal Practice in a Changing World
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, further urged members of the Bar to embrace virtual court proceedings, especially in matters where physical presence is not required. He emphasized that the legal profession must evolve in tandem with global best practices and emerging technologies in order to remain relevant, accessible, and efficient.
Beyond technology and reform, the NBA President offered a poignant reminder of the core purpose of the legal profession: the pursuit of justice.
He encouraged lawyers to use the platform of the conference to reflect deeply on their responsibilities as ministers in the temple of justice and to commit to professional conduct that promotes fairness, integrity, and the rule of law.
In closing, he applauded the NBA-SLP leadership for their foresight in organizing the conference and creating a space for robust and meaningful conversations on the future of legal practice in Nigeria. He warmly welcomed all delegates and expressed confidence that the conference would yield transformative insights and foster professional growth.
#NBASLP2025 #AfamOsigweSAN #JudicialReform #LegalTech #AccessToJustice #SupremeCourtReform #VirtualHearings
Legallinkz.com
Also Read:
