Abuja: The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, emphasized the pivotal role of law as the cornerstone of political stability and the guarantor of economic confidence, during her address at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) Fellows’ Lecture and the 19th Conferment of the Institute’s Honorary Fellowship in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Justice Kekere-Ekun articulated that the law is not an abstract concept limited to courtrooms or academic settings. She highlighted that in the face of complex socioeconomic challenges and evolving political expectations, the rule of law becomes increasingly significant. The judiciary, she noted, has a constitutional mandate to uphold the law with impartiality and courage, reinforcing public trust through transparency, reasoned decisions, and a steadfast commitment to fairness.
She further explained that the judiciary operates at the moral and institutional core of society, underscoring the importance of strengthening this core through discussions like those facilitated by the Fellows’ Lecture. Justice Kekere-Ekun also praised the leadership of NIALS for maintaining the tradition of enhancing public discourse in Nigeria.
Guest Lecturer Mr. George Etomi presented a paper that explored Nigeria’s effectiveness through the interplay of law, politics, and economic development. He argued that a functional and predictable legal framework is essential for constraining political power and ensuring sustainable economic growth. Etomi’s analysis pointed to Nigeria’s governance issues being rooted not in the absence of policy or law, but in widespread non-compliance with existing legal instruments, leading to weak contract enforcement, arbitrary regulations, and diminished public trust.
Director-General of NIALS, Prof. Abdulqadir Abikan, in his welcome remarks, emphasized that this year’s lecture topic addresses the core dilemma of Nigeria’s national project. He highlighted the critical intersection of legal frameworks, political will, and economic aspirations, which will determine the nation’s future trajectory.
The event also saw the conferment of Honorary Institute Fellowships for 2025 to notable figures including Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN; Muhammed Adoke, SAN; Malam Yusuf Alli, SAN; and Prof. Muhammed Ladan.