Legal professionals have called for increased advancement of women in leadership roles across Nigeria’s legal ecosystem.
The stakeholders made this advocacy at the unveiling of the 2025 Women In Successful Career (WISCAR) event of the Women In Law Mentoring Programme (WILMP) Needs Assessment Report.
The report was on Women’s Advancement in Public Sector Law, Lawmaking, and Legal Practice.
The event was organised by WISCAR with the support of the Gates Foundation.
According to the Report, women remain starkly underrepresented across Nigeria’s legal and governance institutions, despite forming an increasingly significant portion of the legal workforce.
As of December 2024, women comprised only four per cent of National Assembly members, 23 per cent of Supreme Court justices, and four per cent of Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
Over half of those surveyed reported having limited or no access to mentorship and professional networks—essential resources for career advancement and leadership development.
In response to these challenges, the WISCAR Women in Law Mentoring Programme was created to bridge systemic and cultural gaps by equipping aspiring female leaders in public legal practice, lawmaking, and governance with the mentorship, skills, and networks they need to rise to leadership roles.
The six-month programme includes targeted capacity building, leadership development, and access to strategic networks, forming a vital foundation for long-term transformation.
WILMP directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), by promoting inclusive leadership and strengthening women’s representation across Nigeria’s legal and governance frameworks.
In her remarks, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said the legal profession and indeed the entire justice system can only reach its full potential when women are equally represented, empowered and heard.
“As the second female Chief Justice of Nigeria, I have witnessed firsthand the power of mentorship, of steadfast support and of doors opened by those who came before.
“I urge every mentee in this programme to seize this opportunity with purpose and passion. You are not only beneficiaries, but you are also future leaders, judges, lawmakers, advocates and nation builders.
“Let us continue to foster a profession where excellence is not defined by gender but by character, competence and commitment to justice. Together we can build the legal ecosystem that upholds equity, integrity and inclusion,” she said.
Founder and Chairperson of WISCAR, Amina Oyagbola, said the programme was built on a deep conviction that empowering women and promoting gender equality are not only moral imperatives but also critical drivers for social progress and national prosperity.
According to Oyagbola, the initiative is a response to the findings of the WISCAR Women in Leadership Mentoring Programme Needs Assessment Report, which highlights systemic barriers faced by women in the legal profession.
“We are creating the structures, the systems and support that women need to advance through masterclasses, leadership sessions, advocacy visits and one-on-one mentorship,” she explained.
In her keynote address, the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Gorée Institute, Ayo Ogunsola Obe, commended the programme’s structured, data-driven approach to mentorship.
“It represents a change from chance and happenstance to a systematic, high-impact, tailor-made programme while encouraging mentees to remain adaptable and open to evolving opportunities.
“You will have access to a network of senior women leaders who can offer the right kind of guidance and advice,” she said.
Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Lagos State Judiciary shared insights into the remarkable progress of female leadership within the Lagos judicial system.
Also speaking at the event, Justice Mujibat Oshodi of the Lagos High Court encouraged the mentees to embrace the journey with passion and confidence.
