The 2025 NBA Lagos Law Conference brought together some of the sharpest minds and most influential voices in Nigeria’s legal landscape—and they did not disappoint. Over the course of this dynamic gathering, thought-provoking commentary, bold declarations, and powerful insights echoed through every panel and plenary. In this post, we’ve curated 17 memorable quotes that capture the spirit, challenges, and aspirations that defined today’s event.
- “As lawyers, it is our responsibility to contribute to the fight against corruption and uphold the integrity of our profession.”
- Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu SAN – Chairman ICPC
- “There are several issues that need to be addressed, and it is essential for lawyers to take a proactive role in promoting accountability and transparency.”
- Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu SAN – Chairman ICPC
- The Regulation of Technology and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in our practice is becoming increasingly prevalent, and it is crucial that we regulate its use to prevent potential abuses. Self-regulation is essential, as external forces may impose regulations if we fail to do so.”
- Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu – ICPC Chairman
- Conduct of lawyers in Court must be scrutinized, the NBA must put its feet down and maintain ethical standards. Correcting lawyers now is difficult as this might land a judge a petition written against him or her… Nigeria does not have a policy on AI, and this is not good. More needs to be done in this regard.”
- Honourable Justice Isaac Essien NICN
- “The critical problem we have as lawyers is that the NBA is unable to fully participate in decision-making. In the LPA, there is no role for the NBA. As such, there is a need for us to interrogate this. We are handicapped and we need to flee from the shackles of government.
- Panel Chair Olisa Agbakoba SAN
- “AI is a phenomenal tool, but we have to know how to handle it. We must control it. Someone with human discretion must over see it, if not, AI can land you in trouble.” –
- Dapo Otunla
- “In using AI, don’t use it as a shortcut rather, learn to use AI tools to teach yourself.”
- Rotimi Ogunyemi, Managing Partner, BOC Legal
- “It is also important to note that law is very jurisdiction specific. Thus, research tools have to be fine-tuned to your jurisdiction to be safe.”
- Chike Obianwu, SAN
- “If you’re not looking at using technology now as a lawyer, you will be sidelined. So it’s time to go into the field.” –
- Oktay Curebal, CEO of Fifty2
- On whether AI will replace Human Judgment?
“There would be some level of replacement because there are services/platforms online today that help people conduct certain tasks and help them make decisions easily rather than going to an expert.”
- Chike Obianwu, SAN, Deputy Managing Partner, Templars
- Artificial intelligence is only a co-pilot. The legal practitioner is the captain.” –
- Oktay curebal, CEO of Fifty2
- All professions are under attack, and we need collective action amongst all.the stakeholders to be able to move things “
– Mr. Soji Apampa, Chairman, Convention of Business Integrity
- On whether AI will replace Human Judgment?
“There would be some level of replacement because there are services/platforms online today that help people conduct certain tasks and help them make decisions easily rather than going to an expert.”
- Chike Obianwu, SAN, Deputy Managing Partner, Templars
- “Artificial intelligence is only a co-pilot. The legal practitioner is the captain.” –
- Oktay Cürebal, CEO of Fifty2
- “The Nigerian Bar Association must learn to self regulate so that outsiders will not regulate the NBA.”
- Mrs Titi Akinlawon SAN, Founding Partner, Akinlawon & Ojomo
- “Companies are critical users of legal services. Lawyers and the judiciary define everything we do. However, there are challenges they face with the judicial system, for example, being a victim of an exparte injunction, which was to elapse in 7 days, but it took them 7months to vacate.
The judiciary has therefore become a nightmare for today, and we have no confidence in the judiciary as we won’t get justice at all, or it’s going to take us so long to get us justice. Hence, when we go into an agreement today, we try to ensure it doesn’t lead to litigation.”
- Austin Avuru
- We are more emotional beings than we are rational. We all lack a sense of common wealth, and until we develop on this, we are going to have a lot of problems. We need to stop the culture of begging. We need to make sanctions apply as this will make people sit up.” –
- Abimbola Akeredolu, SAN, Partner, Banwo & Ighodalo/ Former Attorney General of Ogun State
Spanning an entire week, the NBA Lagos Law Conference 2025 is more than just a moment—it’s a movement. With daily sessions, networking mixers, and groundbreaking conversations, the energy is set to ripple across the legal community for months to come. As you share your experience, insights, and favorite moments online, don’t forget to tag @Legalnaija to keep the conversation going and help amplify the voices shaping the future of law in Nigeria. Let’s take the dialogue beyond the venue and into the world.
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