Senior Advocate Calls for Digital Transformation in Nigeria’s Legal Education System

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Emeka Ozoani, has called for major reforms in Nigeria’s legal education and professional practice, urging lawyers and institutions to embrace digital transformation and emerging technologies.

Speaking during the 2026 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association Makurdi Branch in Benue State, Ozoani warned that the legal profession must adapt quickly to artificial intelligence, digital tools, and global technological changes to remain relevant in the modern era.

According to him, legal practice is rapidly evolving as virtual court proceedings, digital research platforms, and AI-assisted legal drafting become increasingly common across the industry.

“The legal profession is no longer preparing for change — the change is already here,” he noted, emphasizing that technology has become essential for modern legal services.

Ozoani also highlighted several challenges slowing digital adoption within Nigeria’s legal sector, including poor infrastructure, unstable electricity supply, limited access to technology, and the absence of clear regulations governing the ethical use of artificial intelligence in legal practice.

He stressed that issues such as data privacy, confidentiality, and accountability must be carefully addressed as AI tools become more integrated into legal work.

The senior advocate further explained that today’s legal professionals must go beyond traditional legal knowledge by developing digital literacy, analytical skills, and interdisciplinary expertise in areas such as cybersecurity law, fintech regulation, and data protection.

To modernize the profession, Ozoani proposed reforms including:

• Updating legal education curricula to include AI and digital ethics
• Expanding technology-focused legal training programs
• Reviewing professional conduct rules for AI-assisted legal services
• Encouraging collaboration between legal institutions and technology providers

He added that technology also presents an opportunity to improve access to justice by making legal services more affordable and accessible to more Nigerians.

The call reflects a growing global conversation around the future of legal practice as artificial intelligence and digital innovation continue to reshape professional industries worldwide.