On 30th January 2025, the National Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association – Young Lawyers Forum (NBA-YLF), Timothy Clement, led members of the Governing Council to a strategic meeting with the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Hon. Rinsola Abiola. The meeting, which also had in attendance representatives of LEAP Africa and the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), focused on exploring collaborative pathways between the Federal Government and the NBA-YLF.
The engagement centered on the proposed Legal Literacy Project Awareness Campaign and Strengthening Access to Justice Initiative, aimed at empowering citizens through increased awareness of their legal rights and responsibilities. In his opening remarks, the Chairman emphasized that legal literacy is fundamental to responsible citizenship and effective leadership, noting that an informed citizenry is better equipped to hold institutions accountable, resist exploitation, and contribute meaningfully to democratic development. He highlighted that the persistent gap in legal awareness has continued to fuel injustice, corruption, and civic disengagement across the country.
The NBA-YLF also underscored the capacity, numerical strength, and readiness of young lawyers nationwide to drive the implementation of this initiative. The proposed collaboration would provide a structured platform for young lawyers to actively participate in access to justice interventions, legal literacy campaigns, and pro bono legal services, particularly for indigent Nigerians and vulnerable groups, including young persons in correctional facilities.
The Chairman commended the Office of the SSA to the President for championing such a critical initiative and expressed confidence in the impact of the proposed partnership. At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties agreed to proceed towards the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize the collaboration in the interest of national development.
Young lawyers across the federation were encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society and play an active role in advancing justice, civic awareness, and positive change in Nigeria.
