The Law Graduates Association of Nigeria (LAWGAN) has congratulated Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, on her election as President-Elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), urging her incoming administration to address challenges confronting law graduates and aspiring lawyers.

In a statement signed by LAWGAN President, Kayode Bello, and its Public Relations Officer, Ojo Clement, the association described Badejo-Okusanya’s emergence as the 33rd President-Elect of the NBA as a significant milestone in the history of the Nigerian legal profession.

LAWGAN said it was encouraged by the President-Elect’s stated commitment to unity, consultation and engagement with stakeholders within the legal profession.

The association said an inclusive and collaborative Bar would be better positioned to address challenges confronting lawyers, law graduates and aspiring members of the profession.

It said it was ready to work with the incoming NBA administration, particularly on issues affecting law graduates and aspirants seeking admission into the Nigerian Law School.

Of particular concern to the association, it said, was the persistent backlog of law graduates awaiting admission into the Nigerian Law School, which it noted had created significant challenges for graduates seeking to complete their professional legal training and proceed to the Bar.

LAWGAN also expressed concern over the admission of graduates of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) into the Nigerian Law School, urging urgent and constructive engagement among relevant stakeholders on the matter.

The association said the challenges had serious implications for thousands of law graduates and aspiring lawyers.

According to LAWGAN, the NBA, as the umbrella professional body for lawyers in Nigeria, has a critical role to play in facilitating meaningful dialogue with the Council of Legal Education, Nigerian Law School, NOUN and other relevant stakeholders towards finding practical, fair and sustainable solutions.

The association said it looked forward to engaging the incoming NBA administration in a spirit of partnership and shared responsibility.

It added that it was prepared to contribute to initiatives, consultations and advocacy efforts aimed at improving access to legal education, reducing unnecessary delays in professional training and ensuring that deserving law graduates had a fair opportunity to progress into the legal profession.

LAWGAN expressed confidence that Badejo-Okusanya’s leadership would provide an opportunity for stronger collaboration between the NBA and stakeholders representing law graduates and aspiring lawyers.

The association again congratulated the NBA President-Elect and wished her a successful tenure marked by unity, progressive reforms, professional excellence and meaningful advancement of the Nigerian legal profession.