The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), and NBA presidential candidate, Lateef Akangbe (SAN), have called on lawyers to take a leading role in driving reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s justice system and restoring public confidence in legal institutions.
The two senior lawyers made the call in separate messages at the 2026 Law Week of the NBA Gombe Branch, themed “Strengthening Justice Through Reforms: Lawyers as Agents of Change.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Law Week, Osigwe said the strength of any justice system is measured not merely by the laws it enacts but by the confidence citizens have in its ability to deliver justice fairly, efficiently and without prejudice.
In a statement shared on his X handle on Tuesday, the NBA president said the strength of any justice system should be measured not only by the laws enacted but also by the confidence citizens have in the system’s ability to deliver justice fairly, efficiently and without bias.
He commended the leadership and members of the NBA Gombe Branch for convening what he described as an important conversation at a time when the legal profession and the justice sector must reflect on their responsibilities to society and the urgent need to strengthen public trust in institutions.
According to Osigwe, despite the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, several of the challenges the legislation was designed to address continue to persist.
“While the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 marked a significant milestone in the reform of our criminal justice system, many of the challenges it sought to address remain,” he said.
He noted that correctional centres across the country remain overcrowded, while bail conditions are often excessively stringent.
The NBA president also expressed concern that key provisions of the ACJA, including those relating to bondsmen, are yet to be fully utilized to improve access to justice and reduce impunity.
“Our correctional centres continue to be overcrowded, bail conditions are often excessively stringent, and critical provisions of the law, including those relating to bondsmen, are not being fully utilized to promote access to justice and reduce impunity,” he stated.
Osigwe urged lawyers and other stakeholders in the justice sector to move beyond merely identifying the challenges confronting the system and commit to ensuring that reforms contained in existing laws produce tangible benefits for citizens.
“The effectiveness of any reform lies not in its enactment, but in its implementation,” he said.
He stressed the need to rebuild public confidence in the justice system through professionalism, integrity and accountability, describing lawyers as key agents of change in the administration of justice.
“I emphasised the need for us to rebuild public confidence in our institutions by upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability while embracing our role as genuine agents of change,” he said.
According to him, the credibility of the justice system depends largely on the commitment of those entrusted with its administration.
Osigwe acknowledged that significant work remains to be done but expressed optimism that meaningful progress could be achieved through collective action and renewed dedication to justice.
“Through collective action, courage, and a renewed dedication to justice, we can strengthen our institutions, improve the administration of justice, and restore public trust in the legal profession,” he added.
He thanked the NBA Gombe Branch for the opportunity to address participants and share his views on the challenges and prospects of justice sector reforms in Nigeria.
Also, In a goodwill message to the branch, Akangbe described the Law Week theme as timely and compelling, saying it reflects the realities confronting the nation’s justice system.
“The theme of this year’s Law Week is both timely and compelling. It speaks directly to the realities of our justice system and underscores the urgent need for purposeful engagement by members of the legal profession in advancing reforms that enhance access to justice, strengthen institutions, and deepen public confidence in the rule of law,” he said.
Akangbe noted that lawyers have historically been at the forefront of advocacy, institutional development and the defence of democratic values, adding that the profession must continue to embrace its role as a catalyst for meaningful and lasting change.
“Today, more than ever, the legal profession must embrace its responsibility not only as an interpreter of the law but also as a catalyst for meaningful and enduring change,” he stated.
The senior advocate said reform requires courageous leadership, professional integrity, innovation and an unwavering commitment to justice.
He also commended the leadership of the NBA Gombe Branch for selecting a theme that challenges legal practitioners to reflect on their role in building a more responsive and effective justice sector.
“I am confident that the discussions, engagements, and resolutions arising from this Law Week will generate practical ideas and actionable solutions that will contribute significantly to the advancement of the legal profession and the administration of justice in Nigeria,” Akangbe added.
Both senior lawyers expressed optimism that collective action by members of the legal profession would help strengthen institutions, improve the administration of justice and restore public trust in the legal system.
While Osigwe emphasised the need for effective implementation of existing reforms, Akangbe urged lawyers to continue championing initiatives that promote access to justice, accountability and the rule of law.
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