At the 56th Annual National Conference of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT), held at the University of Abuja, Professor Foluke Dada-Lawanson delivered a thought-provoking reflection that resonated deeply with participants, urging legal educators to translate their passion and dialogue into tangible reforms within legal education.
Speaking during one of the panel sessions, Prof. Dada-Lawanson debunked the stereotype that “teachers are poor people,” describing it as “the greatest fallacy on earth.” She emphasized that the true value of teaching lies not in material perception but in the enduring impact educators have on generations and society.
Drawing attention to the persistent gap between legal theory and practice, she posed a direct challenge to her colleagues: “What’s our action plan? How do we move from talk to transformation, especially in areas like clinical legal education, where the gap between theory and practice still holds so many back?”
Her remarks followed one of the panelists highlighting a recurring issue in the legal profession: the inadequate practical training of new graduates. “Lawyers come to the firm, and they don’t know much,” the panelist observed, a statement Prof. Dada-Lawanson described as a “wake-up call” for all stakeholders in legal education.
She concluded her remarks with a strong appeal for accountability and commitment among legal educators, stating, “We can do better. We must do better for our students, our profession, and the society we serve.”
The 56th NALT Conference, themed “Professionalising Legal Education: Innovations, Standards, and Global Perspective,” brought together leading law teachers, practitioners, and policymakers from across Nigeria and beyond to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities in legal education.
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