In a compelling highlight of the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference in Enugu, Michael Jonathan Numa, SAN, will lead the “Catch Them Young!” session from 3:00pm to 4:30pm on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
His presentation promises to dissect Nigeria’s legal education system, from university lecture halls to the halls of the Nigerian Law School and the informal dynamics of pupillage, with a sharp focus on whether law graduates are truly ready for modern legal practice.
Michael Numa stands as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic legal minds. Born in Bayelsa State, he earned his LL.B (Honours) from Delta State University in 2008 and was called to the Bar in 2010 (The Eagles Voice, The Will News).
He further sharpened his expertise with an LL.M. in International Business Law from Queen Mary, University of London, in 2013, and completed a U.S. Business Law certificate program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law in 2018 (The Will News, MJ Numa).
Elevated as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria on November 28, 2022, at just 37 years old, Numa earned recognition as the youngest SAN in Nigeria. The conferment underscored his profound legal competence and leadership within just 12 years of practice (MJ Numa, The Will News).
As the founding and managing partner of M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, he spearheads the firm’s dispute resolution practice. His portfolio spans corporate finance, acquisitions, power contracts, and complex litigation.
He has argued cases before Nigeria’s superior courts and international arbitration tribunals, demonstrating both versatility and depth of legal strategy (MJ Numa, Prime Dispute, The Will News).
His influence extends globally—as one of the top 50 international dispute resolution influencers in 2021 (ranked 22nd) and again among the top 60 in 2022 by Prime Dispute (MJ Numa, Prime Dispute).
At the “Catch Them Young!” session, delegates can expect Michael Numa to challenge the status quo—probing whether current curricula adequately prepare prospective lawyers with practical acumen, ethical clarity, global awareness, and client-ready skills.
Through his lens as a seasoned postgraduate and global litigator, he is likely to advocate for reforms such as hands-on training, mentorship, and systems that adapt to emerging legal landscapes.
The conversation promises not just critique but meaningful engagement, questioning how to shape a pipeline of legal professionals who are principled, adaptive, and equipped for both national and international practice.
Participants will walk away with actionable perspectives to help recalibrate legal education in Nigeria toward greater relevance, competence, and integrity.
