“The Supreme Court has decided that it is better to innovate than to die.” With this thought-provoking declaration, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, underscored the imperative of embracing innovation as the Nigerian judiciary formally launched the Supreme Court Electronic Filing (E-Filing) System and the Nigeria Case Management System (NCMS).
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony attended by distinguished members of the Bench, the Bar, and other stakeholders in the justice sector, the NBA President said that upon receiving the invitation to the event, what immediately came to mind was the reality that institutions must continually evolve or risk becoming obsolete.
Drawing inspiration from the story of Nokia, once a global technology giant that lost its market leadership by failing to adapt to changing realities, he observed that institutions, just like businesses and professionals, must embrace innovation to remain relevant.
According to him, when discussions about technological advancement in the administration of justice arise, the Supreme Court must lead the way by deploying technology to make justice more efficient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of litigants and legal practitioners.
The NBA President expressed the Association’s excitement at the launch of the Electronic Filing System and the Nigeria Case Management System, describing both initiatives as landmark developments in the ongoing digital transformation of Nigeria’s justice sector.
He reminded legal practitioners that the legal profession is not immune from technological disruption.
“We either innovate or we die,” he remarked, stressing that embracing technology is no longer optional but an essential requirement for the future of legal practice.
Highlighting the NBA’s own commitment to digital transformation, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, noted that the Association has already relaunched the NBA Digital Stamp and Seal and introduced the NBA Digital Signature Studio to simplify legal practice, improve efficiency, and strengthen the authenticity of legal documentation.
He further assured the judiciary of the NBA’s full support for the implementation of the Supreme Court’s digital initiatives, disclosing that the Association would organize awareness and capacity-building programmes to familiarize lawyers across the country with the new Electronic Filing System and facilitate its seamless adoption.
The NBA President congratulated the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, the Justices of the Supreme Court, the Chief Registrar, and the entire judiciary for taking this bold step towards modernizing Nigeria’s justice delivery system.
He expressed confidence that the successful implementation of the Electronic Filing System and the Nigeria Case Management System would enhance access to justice, improve case management, reduce delays, and align Nigeria’s judicial system with global best practices.
