LAGOS — Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Monday Ubani, has called on young lawyers and law students across the country to embrace technology, innovation, and integrity as the driving forces of the future legal profession.
Ubani made the charge while delivering the keynote address at the Leadership Summit organised by the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN) in collaboration with the Leadership Academy for the African Continent. The summit, themed “Empowering Future Bar Leaders: Innovation, Technology and Excellence in Leadership,” brought together law students, legal educators, and young practitioners from across Nigeria.
In his address, Ubani declared that the legal profession is undergoing a profound transformation, warning that those who fail to adapt to digital realities risk being left behind.
“The law you are studying today is no longer confined to dusty libraries or paper-filled chambers. Artificial intelligence now assists in legal research, blockchain is redefining contracts, and even the courtroom has gone virtual,” he said.
The learned silk emphasised that the next generation of great lawyers will not be defined by how many statutes or cases they can recall, but by their capacity to deploy technology to enhance access to justice. According to him, technology should be seen as a tool for reform, not a threat to the profession.
He cited examples of emerging innovations that have revolutionised justice systems around the world — from mobile apps offering free legal advice to indigent citizens, to blockchain-based registries securing property ownership, and AI tools helping judges clear court backlogs.
“These are not dreams — they are realities in progressive jurisdictions. Nigeria and Africa need you to bring such innovations home,” Ubani challenged the students.
However, the former NBA Vice President warned that technological advancement without integrity could erode public trust and damage the very foundation of justice.
“Innovation without character is dangerous. Technology without ethics leads to destruction. Leadership in law must always be anchored on truth, discipline, and service,” he cautioned.
Ubani stressed that while the digital age has created new opportunities for efficiency and access, it has also intensified ethical challenges, including misinformation, cybercrime, and data breaches. He urged future lawyers to be the moral compass of society, capable of balancing progress with principle.
“Excellence in leadership means you do not cut corners. You do not compromise your values. Aim not only to be successful but to be significant—to make a lasting difference,” he admonished.
He also urged young lawyers to lead with courage, service, and integrity, describing these as the true hallmarks of professional greatness.
“Do not wait for the future — be the future. Dare to innovate. Embrace technology. Strive for excellence. And above all, lead with integrity. If you do this, you will not only transform the legal profession; you will transform Nigeria, Africa, and indeed, the world,” he concluded.
The summit featured a cross-section of notable legal personalities including Hon. Justice Yahaya Mohammed, Madam Mohammed Adama, Dr. Franklin Chinagorom Ogbu, Aisha Abdu Mohammed, and Tunde Adejumo, among others. Participants described Ubani’s keynote as a timely wake-up call for a new generation of ethical, tech-driven leaders committed to reforming justice delivery in Africa’s digital era.
