The 2025 Annual Conference of the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN) in Abuja opened with a moment of nostalgia and inspiration as Chief Akajiugo Emeka Obegolu, SAN, attended as Special Guest of Honour, reconnecting with an institution that shaped his earliest steps in leadership.
In a moving reflection delivered at the ceremony, Obegolu SAN recounted his formative years at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, where in 1995, he served as Chief Judge of LAWSAN, a defining period he described as “the high point of my student activism and the foundation of my discipline in the legal profession.”
As Chief Judge, he presided over the LAWSAN judiciary, handling cases involving student misconduct and issues of proper dressing, experiences he said helped sharpen his sense of responsibility, fairness, and leadership.
Despite a tight professional schedule, Obegolu SAN ensured his presence at the conference, noting that he had to apply for a stand down of his ongoing matter in court to honour the invitation.
“When the next generation calls, we must answer, because the future of the Bar depends on the quality of mentorship we give them today,” he remarked.
Addressing the students, he shared practical lessons from his journey as a law undergraduate, a young lawyer, and now a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, emphasizing mentorship, focus, and clear goal-setting as indispensable pillars of professional success.
He encouraged them to stay intentional about their dreams:
“Your ambition must be fed daily, by discipline, by learning, and by the company you keep. The only limit to your ascent is the limit you place on your own consistency.”
Obegolu SAN commended the leadership of LAWSAN for their organisation, vision, and commitment to nurturing future leaders of the profession.
“The quality of this conference is a testament to the competence and dedication of the organisers.
You have given hope that the future of the Nigerian legal profession is in capable hands,” he said.
Although his time with the students was brief due to his immediate return to court, he described the moment as fulfilling and deeply personal:
“It felt like coming home. LAWSAN made me, and any chance to give back to this community is a privilege I will always honour.”
He applauded the association for sustaining platforms that encourage intellectual engagement and professional development, urging the students to continue striving for excellence and integrity.
More photos:
