By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Eti-Osa Branch, Mr. Olanrewaju Obadina has declared open the branch’s 2026 Law Week, urging lawyers to pursue profitability without compromising ethics, justice and human rights.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Obadina said the legal profession must strike a delicate balance between commercial viability and its traditional role as a guardian of justice, particularly in an era shaped by technology, artificial intelligence, globalization and evolving human rights concerns.
The Law Week, which commenced on Monday, 8 June 2026, is themed: Law as Business, Law as Justice: Profitability, Ethics and Human Rights in a Changing World.”
According to the NBA chairman, the theme reflects the realities confronting legal practitioners in the 21st century and the growing need to reconcile professional sustainability with public service.
Welcoming members of the Bench and Bar, government officials, sponsors, partners and other stakeholders, Obadina described the event as an opportunity for critical reflection on the future of legal practice.
“Our Law Week theme is both timely and thought-provoking. It speaks directly to the realities confronting the legal profession in the twenty-first century,” he said.
He noted that lawyers now operate in a highly competitive environment where innovation, technology, sustainability and profitability have become essential to professional success. Nevertheless, he stressed that the profession’s core responsibilities remain unchanged.
“The legal profession stands at a critical intersection. On one hand, lawyers must operate in an increasingly competitive and evolving marketplace where sustainability, innovation, technology and profitability have become indispensable. On the other hand, we remain custodians of justice, defenders of the rule of law, protectors of human rights and guardians of ethical standards,” he said.
Obadina argued that the challenge facing the profession is not whether law should function as a business or a vehicle for justice, but how both objectives can coexist without eroding ethical values.
“The question before us is not whether law is a business or a vehicle for justice. Rather, it is how we can successfully balance both imperatives without compromising the values that define our noble profession,” he stated.
While advocating stronger and more sustainable legal practices, he warned against allowing financial considerations to overshadow lawyers’ obligations to society.
“As legal practitioners, we must build thriving practices capable of rewarding excellence and supporting the next generation of lawyers. Yet, in pursuing profitability, we must never lose sight of our sacred responsibility to uphold justice, defend the vulnerable and preserve the integrity of the legal system,” he added.
The NBA Chairman further observed that technological disruption, economic uncertainty and changing global realities are reshaping the legal landscape, making adaptation imperative.
He said the Law Week would provide a platform for robust discussions and practical solutions to challenges confronting the profession. He disclosed that participants would engage with jurists, policymakers, academics and legal practitioners on issues ranging from ethics and profitability to access to justice and human rights protection.
“Over the course of this week, we shall engage with distinguished speakers, policymakers, jurists, academics and legal practitioners who will share valuable insights on the future of the profession. We shall explore how lawyers can remain profitable without sacrificing ethics, how justice can remain accessible in a commercially driven environment, and how human rights can be protected amid rapid societal transformation,” he said.
Obadina also highlighted activities lined up for the week, including interfaith programmes, health and wellness initiatives, professional development sessions, public interest engagements, networking opportunities and social events.
He commended invited speakers, panelists, sponsors, partners and members of the Law Week Planning Committee for their contributions to the event’s success.
Addressing young lawyers, the NBA chairman urged them to maximise the opportunities offered by the programme.
“To our young lawyers, I encourage you to take full advantage of every session. The future of our profession rests in your hands, and the knowledge gained this week will undoubtedly contribute to your growth and success,” he said.
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