Enugu, Nigeria – Monday, 25th August 2025
Artificial Intelligence (AI) took centre stage at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference 2025, holding in Enugu State, during the breakfast session titled “Disruptive Artificial Intelligence”. The session examined AI as both a powerful opportunity and a looming challenge for the legal profession.
Coordinated by Adebanke Ajade and moderated by Charles Omole. The panel featured Hassana Barnabas-Agbada, Esq. (lead speaker and technology law advocate); Ikechukwu Uwanna, AG Abia State (corporate and governance expert); Obele Akinnrianye (policy and development practitioner); Obinnaya Agbo (commercial and tech law practitioner); and Rotimi Ogunyemi (ICT and intellectual property specialist).
Speakers acknowledged that AI now powers legal research platforms and drafting tools, enabling the preparation of complex legal documents in minutes. They emphasized that while AI can enhance efficiency, accuracy, and access to justice, uncritical reliance on it risks inaccuracies, ethical breaches, and erosion of professional judgment.
The panel further explored the implications for legal education, urging reforms in pedagogy, curriculum design, and assessment methods to prepare lawyers for practice in an era driven by AI.
Key Recommendations
- The NBA should establish ethical and professional guidelines to govern AI use in legal practice.
- Develop Nigeria-specific AI models trained on domestic statutes and case law for reliability.
- Implement continuous professional training to ensure lawyers can responsibly integrate AI into their work.
The session echoed the conference theme, “Stand Out, Stand Tall,” with speakers urging lawyers to embrace technological competence while upholding integrity and ethics. The NBA commended the panelists for charting a clear path for responsible AI adoption, ensuring the profession remains relevant and resilient in a rapidly changing digital world.
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