Get Guardian on GoogleThe President of the Nigerian Law Society (NLS), Amb. Dahiru Aliyu, has called for greater professional recognition and opportunities for Nigerian law graduates engaged in non-litigation legal services, saying their contributions should be accorded a place in the country’s legal profession.
Aliyu made the call on Thursday in Abuja, while addressing delegates at the 2026 Annual General Conference of the society, themed, “Justice for All: Non-Litigation Nigerian Law Graduates Through the Blue Silks (SCN), BOSCON and the Nigerian Law Society (NLS).”
He said the society was established alongside the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON), with both organisations obtaining their certificates on December 30, 2025.
According to him, the NLS is a voluntary professional association founded on the freedom of association guaranteed by Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
He explained that the society was established to provide an organised platform for eligible Nigerian law graduates, particularly those working in non-litigation areas such as corporate administration, legal consultancy, arbitration, mediation, compliance, governance, legislative drafting and legal research.
Aliyu said the society would operate in accordance with its constitution and applicable laws while maintaining constructive relationships with existing legal institutions.
“Every individual deserves access to justice and equal protection under the law,” he said, urging legal professionals to uphold the Constitution, respect democratic institutions and promote integrity, impartiality, accountability and fundamental human rights.
The NLS president described the introduction of the Blue Silks (SCN) as an institutional initiative aimed at recognising professional excellence, dedication, sacrifice and meaningful contributions to the legal community.
He said the initiative, alongside BOSCON and the NLS, was intended to promote solidarity, mutual respect and unity within the legal profession, while encouraging younger generations to embrace professional ethics and development.
On institutional development, Aliyu said his administration was committed to constitutional compliance, transparent financial management, credible membership registration, professional development, effective branch structures and responsible leadership.
Aliyu also urged members to resolve disagreements through dialogue, constitutional procedures and lawful dispute resolution mechanisms.
“No individual is greater than the institution, and no institution is above its Constitution or the law,” he said.
Outlining his administration’s priorities for 2027 and beyond, he listed institutional consolidation, membership expansion, continuing professional education, strengthening the Blue Silks, BOSCON and NLS, developing effective branches and promoting financial accountability.
He added that the society would pursue national and international partnerships while advocating lawful professional recognition and opportunities for qualified Nigerian law graduates.
Aliyu urged members to remain committed to justice, integrity, discipline, mutual respect and unity, declaring the society’s guiding principle as: “Each for all, and all for each.”
A keynote speaker at the conference, the Chairperson of the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON), Hon. Mrs. Orebiyi Elizabeth Titilayo, also called for greater professional recognition of Nigerian law graduates who contribute to the legal profession outside courtroom litigation.
She said legal practice and the development of the justice system extended beyond courtroom advocacy to include legal education, corporate governance, legislative drafting, regulatory institutions, policy development, legal research and law reform.
According to her, professionals working in these fields make significant contributions to the development of law and society, even though their work may not always be visible in courtrooms.
She said the Blue Silks-SCN initiative was designed to recognise outstanding contributions in non-litigation areas through four professional categories: Senior Legal Academic (SLA), Senior Corporate Counsel (SCC), Senior Legislative Counsel (SLC) and Senior Law Reform Counsel (SLRC).
Titilayo stressed that the designation of Senior Counsel should represent more than a professional title, describing it as a mark of experience, competence, integrity, intellectual leadership and service.
She said recipients of the distinction should serve as mentors, custodians of professional values and role models for younger members of the profession.
On the future of legal practice, she urged young law graduates to develop expertise in emerging fields, including technology, artificial intelligence, commercial innovation, regulatory transformation, international transactions, alternative dispute resolution and public policy.
She said the legal profession must move beyond defining practitioners solely by their involvement in litigation, arguing that competence, integrity and the impact of their contributions should determine professional recognition.
The BOSCON chairperson also called on senior lawyers to mentor younger professionals, institutions to create opportunities and law graduates to pursue competence while maintaining high ethical standards.
According to her, the strength of Nigeria’s legal profession should be measured not only by the number of practitioners it produces but also by their contributions to justice, governance, commerce, education and national development.
Among the lawyers conferred with the blue silk rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) at the 2026 annual general conference were, Femi Fani-Kayode; Seyi Tinubu; Olufemilayo Osifuye; David Okwun Kalu; Alabi Olalekan among others.
