Sanwo-Olu seeks tech-driven legal practice

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Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State

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…as NBA-SLP conference opens in Lagos

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By Henry Ojelu

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LAGOS — Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has called on Nigerian lawyers to embrace innovation, technology, and entrepreneurial thinking to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving global legal landscape.

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The governor made the call on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice, held at the National Theatre Lagos.

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Represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, the governor described Lagos as the “commercial nerve centre” of Nigeria and the hub of legal innovation and practice, noting that the choice of the state as host of the conference was both deliberate and symbolic.

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He commended the NBA-SLP for sustaining the tradition of convening the annual gathering, stressing that the forum remains critical in shaping the future of legal practice in Nigeria.

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Sanwo-Olu highlighted the significance of the venue, recalling that the National Theatre was built in 1976 for the FESTAC ’77, and stands as a symbol of Nigeria’s capacity to convene global conversations and project its cultural identity.

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Addressing the conference theme, “Evolving Trends: Nigerian Legal Practice, Global Perspectives,” the governor said the legal profession must adapt to sweeping global changes driven by technology, particularly generative artificial intelligence and data-driven systems.

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According to him, modern legal practice now demands more than traditional advocacy, urging practitioners to embrace what he termed “legal entrepreneurship” — a blend of legal expertise, technological competence, and business acumen.

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“The truth is that law does not exist in isolation. It is deeply woven into the fabric of society. It shapes economies, stabilises institutions, and gives meaning to governance,” he said.

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He added that societies thrive where the rule of law is strong, warning that uncertainty prevails where legal systems are weak, thereby underscoring the central role of lawyers in national development.

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Sanwo-Olu also outlined reforms undertaken by his administration to strengthen the justice system in Lagos State, particularly through the deployment of technology.

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He listed key initiatives to include the digitalisation of court processes, electronic filing systems, virtual court sittings, and the introduction of court transcription technology.

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The governor further cited the establishment of the Lagos State Criminal Information System, a centralised database designed to track defendants across courts and correctional facilities using biometric and biodata records.

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He said the system has significantly improved accountability, transparency, and efficiency in criminal justice administration within the state.

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Sanwo-Olu expressed optimism that deliberations at the conference would yield actionable recommendations to advance a more dynamic and technology-driven legal sector in Nigeria.

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“I look forward to robust discussions that will help position our legal profession to meet global standards,” he said.

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The governor, on behalf of the Lagos State Government and its residents, welcomed participants to the state and wished them a productive and memorable conference.

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