—CJN Warns Nigeria at a Crossroads
The Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) has conferred Honorary Fellowships on four eminent legal figures during its 2025 Fellows’ Lecture and 19th Fellowship Ceremony held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
Director General of the Institute, Prof. Abdulqadir Ibrahim Abikan, reaffirmed NIALS’ commitment to advancing legal scholarship and strengthening national institutions. He described the Fellows’ Lecture as a platform for shaping intellectual discourse within Nigeria’s legal system.
Those honoured include two former Attorneys-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Godwin Agabi, SAN, and Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN; the immediate past DG of NIALS, Prof. Mohammed Twafiq Ladan; and Mallam Yusuf Ali, SAN. The quartet was celebrated for outstanding scholarship, integrity, and service to the legal profession and the nation.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, speaking on the lecture theme, “Law, Politics, and Economic Development: Nigeria at Crossroads,” stressed that the rule of law remains central to political stability and economic confidence. She said the judiciary must remain steadfast as the country confronts deepening socioeconomic challenges.
Guest lecturer, Mr. George Etomi, pointed to governance failures rooted in weak institutions, electoral mistrust, and declining public faith. He cited Nigeria’s poor performance on the Rule of Law Index and urged reforms across critical sectors, including oil and gas, telecommunications, and banking. Strengthening institutions and enforcing accountability, he said, were essential for national recovery.
Responding for the honourees, Prof. Ladan expressed gratitude to the Institute and pledged continued support for its research and academic mission. He also commended Prof. Abikan for sustaining the Fellows’ Lecture tradition.
