Africa’s largest bar’s Young Lawyers Forum: Shaping the Continent’s Legal Future

With a membership of more than 30,000 lawyers in their first 1-7 years of practice, the Nigerian Bar Association - Young Lawyers Forum (NBA-YLF), serves as the bridge between legal education and professional excellence, championing welfare, access to opportunity, and a renewed culture of justice and service.

Under the leadership of Timothy Clement and the Governing Council, the Forum has ushered in a defining chapter for young lawyers in Nigeria and beyond.

As Chairman of the Committee on Policies, Programs & Projects (Umoh) and Head of Policy & Programs and Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Young Lawyer Report & Five-Year Strategy Plan (Solomon), respectively, we’ve been blessed to be at the core of this agenda. Together with a dedicated team, we’re crafting a forward-leaning roadmap for the legal profession’s youngest and brightest.

A Vision Anchored on Reform, Opportunity, and Leadership

The NBA-YLF structure reflects the seriousness of its mission — from the national Governing Council chaired by the YLF Chair and appointed by the Nigerian Bar Association President, to committee chairs, and branch leaders across the country.

Its mandate is clear: to advocate, empower, and transform the professional experience of young lawyers across Nigeria.

In recent months, this vision has translated into real reforms and measurable impact, addressing issues that have long hindered young lawyers — from welfare and workplace dignity to skills, knowledge, and fair access to opportunity.

Listening to Young Lawyers — And Leading With Evidence

Recognising that genuine reform must be grounded in evidence, the NBA-YLF undertook a national digital survey, engaging thousands of young lawyers across all regions.

With 5,736 respondents, the survey offered one of the most comprehensive insights into youth experience in the African legal sector — revealing concerns around welfare, career mobility, professional exposure, and equitable remuneration.

These insights have now shaped the NBA-YLF 5-Year Strategic Plan (2025-2030) — a structured blueprint guiding policies, programs, and innovative projects that meet global standards and prepare young lawyers for a fast-evolving legal economy.

Driving Justice, Strengthening Society

At the heart of great legal systems lies justice — meaningful and accessible. Between February and June, young lawyers across branches partnered with the NBA-YLF Committee on Policies, Programs & Projects to support prison decongestion efforts, working with justice-sector institutions including Hope Behind Bars Africa.

Through this collaboration, 13 inmates gained their freedom, reinforcing the Forum’s commitment not only to professional advancement, but to humanity, dignity, and justice for all.

Democratising Legal Knowledge — A Future-Ready LMS

The Forum has also democratized legal training by launching a Learning Management System, developed by young lawyer Obinna Udochwukwu Godsvictory, enabling members to access Continuous Legal Education from anywhere in Nigeria and the wider region — from Lagos to Aba, Nairobi to Kigali.

This digital tool is an early glimpse into the future of African legal education — accessible, flexible, modern, and equitable.

Global Visibility and Soft Power

At Africa’s largest legal gathering, the Nigerian Bar Conference, the Young Lawyers Forum activated its most powerful resource — community and soft power — through the “We Are YLF Pavilion”. 

A hub for partnership, investment, and global legal innovation, it spotlighted the strength, creativity, and international relevance of young Nigerian lawyers.

Building Capacity at Scale

Across committees — including Mentorship, Emerging Areas of Practice, Energy & Sustainability, and Continuing Legal Education — the Forum has delivered 20+ capacity-building programs impacting tens of thousands of young legal professionals nationwide.

From digital law to climate justice, arbitration to governance, young lawyers are being groomed not only to practice law, but to shape the future.

The Road Ahead — A Vision in Motion

The launch of the NBA-YLF 5-Year Strategic Plan marks a pivotal moment — a long-term development roadmap laying out the policies, programs, and systems required to empower young lawyers through 2030.

To build a generation of ethical, globally competitive African lawyers equipped for justice leadership in the 21st century.

And if the first phase is any indication, the future is bright — not only for Nigerian young lawyers, but for the African legal ecosystem they help shape.

A new chapter has begun - one defined by vision, duty, innovation, and hope. The NBA-YLF is not merely preparing young lawyers for tomorrow. 

It is preparing Africa’s future leaders for the world.

Umoh Edet is Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association - Young Lawyers Forum’s Committee on Policies, Programs & Projects. Solomon Ogbu is Head of Policy & Programs and Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Young Lawyer Report & Five-Year Strategy Plan