By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Eti-Osa Branch, has unveiled plans for its 2026 Law Week, with legal practitioners, policymakers, jurists, academics and business leaders set to examine the delicate balance between profitability, professional ethics and justice in a rapidly changing world.
Announcing the programme at a press briefing, NBA Eti-Osa Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Obadina, said the event, themed “Law as Business, Law as Justice: Profitability, Ethics and Human Rights in a Changing World,” will provide a platform for critical conversations on the future of legal practice amid technological disruption, evolving business models and growing demands for accountability.
Obadina said the legal profession is increasingly confronted with the challenge of remaining commercially viable while preserving its core responsibility to justice, ethics and human rights.
“This year’s theme reflects the realities confronting legal practitioners globally. As the legal profession navigates unprecedented technological advancements, changing business models, increasing demands for access to justice and heightened concerns for human rights, it has become imperative to examine how lawyers can remain profitable while upholding the highest standards of ethics and professional responsibility,” he said.
According to him, the week-long event will bring together distinguished jurists, legal practitioners, government officials, academics and private-sector stakeholders committed to shaping the future of the profession.
Activities will commence with a special prayer session for Muslim lawyers on Friday, 5 June, 2026 followed by a Health Walk on Saturday,6June, 2026 to promote wellness and strengthen camaraderie within the legal community.
Christian members of the branch will hold a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 7 June,2026 ahead of the formal opening of the Law Week on Tuesday, 9 June, 2026 by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba.
A major highlight of the opening ceremony will be the keynote address by Manitoba’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Matt Wiebe, whose participation is expected to deepen international perspectives on the evolving role of law in contemporary society.
Thereafter, six Attorneys-General from the South-West will participate in a panel session to interrogate issues arising from the keynote address, while chairmen of the seven NBA branches in Lagos State will also engage in discussions on developments within the legal profession.
The opening day will further feature a dedicated session on women and the law, anchored by Mrs. Folasade Alli, SAN.
Attention will subsequently shift to Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, with renowned legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, alongside the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators, Mrs. Sola Oshodi-John, leading discussions on the role of arbitration in enhancing commercial certainty, investment growth and access to justice.
Selected deans of leading law faculties across Nigeria will also participate in a panel session examining legal education and professional development.
The programme will further spotlight Real Estate Law and Practice, with the Group Managing Director of Alphamead Group, Engr. Femi Akintunde, delivering the keynote address on opportunities and emerging trends within the sector.
On June 10, stakeholders will explore the impact of legal technology and innovation on modern practice, focusing on artificial intelligence, automation and digital transformation.
Obadina said the session is designed to equip practitioners with the tools required to remain competitive, relevant and ethically compliant in an increasingly technology-driven environment.
The day’s activities will conclude with a session on emerging law firms, to be anchored by Mr. Omotola Atoyebi, SAN.
The Law Week will culminate in a grand dinner bringing together members of the Bench, Bar, academia, government and the business community to celebrate excellence, service and professional achievement.
Reaffirming the branch’s commitment to legal scholarship, the rule of law and human rights, Obadina said the Law Week would facilitate meaningful dialogue capable of shaping the future of legal practice.
“The NBA Eti-Osa Branch remains committed to advancing legal scholarship, promoting the rule of law, defending human rights and fostering professional excellence. Through this Law Week, we seek to facilitate meaningful conversations that will shape the future of legal practice while reinforcing the legal profession’s enduring responsibility to justice and society,” he said.
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