Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed deep concern over the state of Nigeria’s legal profession, warning that corruption, ethical misconduct, and a reluctance to embrace innovation are threatening its future.
Speaking at the 2025 Law Week Plenary Session of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa Branch, Osinbajo said the legal sector is “crumbling under the weight of corruption,” referencing persistent allegations of bribery involving both lawyers and judges.
“The perception that our justice system is corrupt, with both the Bar and Bench implicated, is damaging enough,” he stated during the event held at the Nigerian Content Tower in Bayelsa State.
Addressing the session’s theme, “The Legal Profession: A Vision for a New Era,” Osinbajo stressed the urgent need for reform in a profession increasingly shaped by technology and global transformation.
“Our profession needs a new vision and a fresh set of tools. Technology now performs tasks faster, more accurately, and without fatigue, unlike human lawyers,” he said.
He highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) and legal tech in handling routine legal tasks such as research, analysis, and opinion writing, urging lawyers to redefine their value.
“Machines can already summarise the law more efficiently. Lawyers must now focus on what AI cannot do, ethical judgment, client advocacy, and interpreting what ought to be done,” he advised.
Osinbajo also called for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s legal education, proposing a modern curriculum that incorporates AI literacy, data science, and interdisciplinary skills.
He emphasized the importance of understanding algorithmic bias, data privacy, and the architecture of legal tech systems.
“In this new era, the value of human lawyers must shift to higher-order thinking, ethical decision-making, and advancing the best interest of clients,” Osinbajo concluded.
