To accelerate digital adoption, legal professionals have advocated the widespread adoption of a vital research tool, ‘vLex’, into legal education and practice.

The vLex adoption advocacy stems from the need to preserve and expand access to the works of the late Deji Sasegbon (SAN), ensuring that his extensive legal publications remain available to practitioners and students.

By promoting vLex as a vital research tool, they aim to equip universities, legal professionals, and students with seamless access to essential Nigerian legal resources, fostering a new era of digital legal scholarship in Nigeria.

At a recent meeting at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), key stakeholders emphasised the role of digital tools in making Sasegbon’s work more accessible across Nigeria.

Participants at the meeting included the Dean, Faculty of Law, UNILAG, Prof Abiola Sanni (SAN); Lecturer, Department of Private and Property Law, UNILAG, Prof Oludayo Amokaye (SAN); Managing Director, DSC Publications, Mrs. Oge Sasegbon and the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, Prof John Akintayo, who is also the President, Nigerian Law Teachers Association.

A major focus of their advocacy was the integration of Sasegbon’s legal resources into vLex, a global online legal research platform designed for seamless access to case law, legislation, and legal commentary.

vLex now hosts Sasegbon’s Judicial Dictionary of Nigerian Law (SJD), Sasegbon’s Laws of Nigeria (the updated version up to 2024 currently being uploaded), and Nigeria’s Supreme Court Cases.

These publications allow legal professionals, academics, and students to refer to them anytime.

UNILAG pledged institutional support for vLex, encouraging wider adoption across Nigerian universities and legal institutions.

To support this effort, Mrs. Sasegbon donated five sets of SJD to UNILAG, facilitated by an anonymous alumnus.

She highlighted the financial challenges universities face in acquiring legal publications and called on philanthropists and legal institutions to sponsor vLex subscriptions for law faculties.

Described as Nigeria’s most comprehensive legal dictionary, SJD interprets legal terms using Nigerian statutes and case law, positioning itself as a rival to Black’s Law Dictionary.

Prof Amokaye (SAN) emphasised its immense value for legal education.

During the meeting, Prof Akintayo praised Sasegbon’s contributions, while Prof Sanni (SAN) reaffirmed his legacy.

“Deji Sasegbon’s contributions to legal education will never be forgotten. He was an icon in his own right. His work must continue,” he declared.