The October 29 gathering, reported by BusinessDay on October 31, 2026, was held under the theme, From Learning to Leading: Networking, Leadership, and Advocacy for Women in Law.
The programme focused on addressing structural barriers to women’s advancement and developing practical pathways for greater representation in leadership positions across the legal profession.
Delivering the keynote address titled Beyond the Bench: Women Redefining Leadership in Law and Governance, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, Administrative Judge of the Lagos State High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, stressed that women’s leadership should be measured not merely by representation but by the positive transformation of institutions.
She encouraged women in the profession to look beyond attaining positions and focus on creating opportunities for others, improving institutional accountability and making leadership more accessible.
The convening also drew attention to findings from WISCAR’s Women in Law Mentoring Programme needs assessment involving 428 legal practitioners, 99 per cent of whom were women.
The assessment found that more than seven in 10 respondents identified patriarchal norms as a serious barrier to women’s professional advancement, while more than half reported limited access to mentorship, sponsorship and professional networks.
An important feature of the programme was the presentation of policy proposals developed by mentees across eight mentoring circles. The proposals were considered as part of efforts to move the programme beyond individual mentoring towards institutional reforms.
The initiative also followed advocacy engagements involving the Nigerian Law School, the Nigerian Bar Association and FIDA Nigeria.
At the Nigerian Law School, Director-General Olugbemisola Odusote reportedly expressed commitment in principle to exploring opportunities for students to participate in the programme.
The development highlights the importance of structured mentorship, professional networks and institutional support in building a more inclusive legal profession.
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