Professor Foluke Dada-Lawanson, Chair of the Nigerian Bar Association Academic Forum, has delivered a thoughtful and deeply reflective message to aspiring lawyers and newly called members of the Bar, offering clarity, reassurance, and strategic guidance on navigating the complexities of a modern legal career.
In her address, Prof. Dada-Lawanson acknowledged the uncertainty many young lawyers experience as they confront a profession that can appear competitive, demanding, and overwhelming, emphasizing that such questions are both normal and necessary for growth.
According to her, there is no singular route to success in law, but rather a deliberate process that requires self-awareness, patience, and continuous development.
“The legal profession is vast and diverse. It accommodates different strengths, interests, and problem-solving approaches, provided one is honest about personal capabilities and aspirations,” she noted.
She encouraged young lawyers to begin their journey with self-knowledge, stressing the importance of understanding individual strengths and interests before attempting to define a career path. She further advised that goal-setting should be intentional rather than pressure-driven, reminding young professionals that clarity often emerges progressively.
“You do not need to see the entire road. It is enough to understand your next stop,” she stated.
Prof. Dada-Lawanson underscored the importance of skill acquisition, noting that professional competence is cultivated through learning, practice, and persistence not inheritance. She urged young lawyers to seek practical experience, apply theoretical knowledge, ask questions, and embrace mistakes as essential components of growth.
“Real development occurs in lived professional experiences, not solely in classrooms or textbooks,” she observed.
The Chair of the NBA Academic Forum emphasized the necessity of continuous learning and adaptation, noting that legal careers are dynamic and evolve alongside the individual.
“You are not late. You are not behind. You are simply at the beginning,” Prof. Dada-Lawanson affirmed.
Her message has been widely received as a timely intervention, offering both reassurance and direction to young members of the profession at a critical stage of their development.
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