A senior lawyer, Usman Sule (SAN) has charged young lawyers to rise to the occasion as leaders in a rapidly transforming legal landscape. In his compelling goodwill address at the 2025 Law and Inclusive Development Summit hosted by the Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers Forum (NBAYLF), Garki Branch Abuja, Sule admonished them to rise to the occasion as leaders in a rapidly transforming legal landscape.

The summit, which convened rising legal minds and senior figures in the profession, explored the intersection of law, innovation, and inclusive growth. Sule described lawyers as “social engineers” with a unique responsibility to build ethical frameworks for a society in flux.

According to him, lawyers are not merely interpreters of statutes but thought leaders, architects of justice, and active participants in shaping societal values.

“The relevance and humanity of the law depend on what your generation chooses to do with it.

“As the legal profession grapples with disruptive changes brought about by artificial intelligence, automation, and global shifts, there must be adaptability,” he said.

He urged young lawyers to go beyond conventional legal knowledge and embrace continuous learning across fields such as technology law, data protection, intellectual property, and legal innovation.

“In this fast-changing world, learning must be constant. If you do not evolve, you will be left behind.

“The future of law will belong to those who are prepared, agile, and ethically grounded,” he suggested. Beyond technical knowledge, Sule stressed the need for strong values and leadership virtues as he encouraged young lawyers to begin to develop the mindset of future judges, legislators and reformers.

“Leadership starts now. Begin building character, competence, and credibility from day one.

“The law will continue to evolve but it is up to you to define its direction, relevance and impact,” he said. He also highlighted the importance of mentorship and networking, urging participants to seek guidance from senior colleagues and contribute meaningfully to the profession’s growth.

He, therefore, commended the NBAYLF Garki Branch for organising a forward-thinking summit and reaffirmed his support for initiatives that empower young lawyers to drive meaningful change in society.