In a bold and impassioned keynote address that electrified the 2025 NBA Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP) Annual Conference in Jos, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), issued a powerful call for sweeping reforms across Nigeria’s judicial landscape — with particular emphasis on restructuring the overburdened Supreme Court and ushering in a long-overdue digital transformation.
THE BURDENED APEX COURT: “TIME TO RETHINK ITS ROLE”
Osigwe, speaking to a hall filled with jurists, legal professionals, and thought leaders from across the country, did not mince words about the challenges plaguing the judiciary. He zeroed in on the Supreme Court’s staggering caseload, describing it as “unsustainable and counterproductive” to the very essence of justice.
“The Supreme Court is burdened with an overwhelming number of appeals, many of which could and should have been resolved at the lower courts,” he declared. “We must urgently re-examine the scope of appeals allowed to reach the apex court and refocus its attention on constitutional and precedent-setting cases.”
Osigwe’s call echoed a growing chorus within the legal community urging the Federal Government and National Assembly to amend appellate protocols that clog the Supreme Court with routine matters, causing delays in justice delivery and undermining the court’s core purpose.
TECHNOLOGICAL PARALYSIS: “UNACCEPTABLE IN A DIGITAL AGE”
Equally scathing was Osigwe’s critique of the judiciary’s sluggish pace in adopting digital tools. He pointed to the inexplicable delays in publishing court judgments and the inefficient filing systems still in use in many jurisdictions across Nigeria.
“It is baffling that court judgments are not immediately and easily accessible to litigants, lawyers, and the public,” he said. “In this digital age, such systemic opacity is simply unacceptable.”
Osigwe hailed the National Industrial Court as a shining example of digital excellence, commending its leadership for pioneering e-filing and virtual proceedings. He urged other courts to follow suit — not just for convenience, but as a critical step toward transparency and efficiency.
EMBRACING THE FUTURE: VIRTUAL COURTS AS THE NEW NORMAL
Pushing the boundaries of legal tradition, the NBA President advocated for the normalization of virtual court sessions, especially in civil and procedural matters that do not require physical presence.
“Our profession must embrace innovation and global best practices,” he said. “Remote proceedings are no longer a luxury; they are a necessity.”
He stressed that if Nigeria’s legal system hopes to remain relevant and responsive to societal needs, it must align with the technological realities of the modern world.
A CALL TO DUTY: “RECOMMIT TO JUSTICE”
In a reflective closing, Osigwe reminded legal practitioners of their sacred duty as gatekeepers of justice.
“As custodians of justice, we must reflect on our roles and recommit to the values of fairness, integrity, and the rule of law,” he said, drawing sustained applause from the audience.
The conference, themed “Uncommon Challenges in a Rapidly Changing Legal Environment,” marked a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s legal discourse. Osigwe’s address was not just a speech — it was a clarion call to shake the foundations of a system overdue for transformation.
Now, the question is: will the judiciary answer?
