PHOTO NEWS: Young lawyers urged to uphold integrity at NBA Ibadan symposium
By Adejayan Gbenga
Young lawyers have been urged to uphold professionalism, consistency and integrity in the discharge of their duties as legal practitioners.
The charge was given on Thursday by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dapo Akinosun, during the 2026 Biennial Symposium of the Young Lawyers Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan Branch.
The symposium, themed “The Bar of Our Dream: Ethics, Mentorship and Professional Enrichment in the Development of Young Lawyers While Mitigating the Adverse Effects of Unethical Shortcuts,” attracted prominent members of the legal profession, law students and young practitioners from different institutions.
In his keynote address, Akinosun said the early stage of a legal career may come with financial difficulties, but stressed that persistence, professionalism and integrity remain essential for long-term success at the Bar. He noted that trust is the foundation of legal practice and warned that once it is broken, it is difficult to regain.“Clients will always trust you, but once that trust is breached, it is gone, and that is not good for the profession,” he said, while urging young lawyers to embrace mentorship and learn under experienced practitioners to build solid professional foundations.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Young Lawyers Forum, Timileyin Olayiwola (Esq.), said the symposium theme reflects the realities confronting young lawyers, particularly the tension between ethical practice and economic pressure. He said young practitioners must balance professional expectations with survival needs without compromising competence and integrity.
Olayiwola maintained that poverty should never justify professional misconduct, adding that desperation must not become a guiding principle for young lawyers. He described ethics as a daily responsibility rather than a theoretical concept and urged participants to prioritise long-term relevance over shortcuts.
In the same vein, the Chairman of the NBA Ibadan Branch, Ibrahim Lawal (Esq.), commended the forum for its commitment to developing young lawyers and strengthening the legal profession. Also speaking, Chairman of the symposium committee, Dapo Akinosi, described the event as a turning point for young practitioners and urged them to build principled and sustainable careers based on discipline and consistency.
The event featured two panel sessions on professional ethics, integrity, competence and mentorship. Speakers, including Folake Solanke, stressed that competence remains the foundation of success in the legal profession, while connections can only be effective when backed by skill, discipline and integrity. The symposium was attended by law students from the University of Ibadan, Kola Daisi University and representatives of the Legal Aid Council of the National Youth Service Corps.
