The Johnny Agim SAN Foundation (JASAN Foundation) on Friday, 24th October 2025, held the second edition of The Legacy Dialogue at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, themed “Institutionalisation of Mentorship in the Legal Profession: A Strategic Blueprint for Professional Development.”
The event, which gathered esteemed members of the Bench, Bar, Academia, and young legal minds, provided a profound platform for collective introspection and blueprint design on how mentorship can be embedded as a sustainable tool for shaping Nigeria’s legal profession.
The convener, Johnny Agim, SAN, in his opening remarks, emphasized that mentorship remains one of the most underdeveloped yet most powerful pillars in legal growth and professionalism. He described mentorship as the bridge between potential and mastery, calling on stakeholders to make it a structured, institutional process rather than an act of goodwill.
The keynote address was delivered on behalf of Justice Ejembi Eko, JSC (Rtd.), by Hon. Justice Mabel T. Segun-Bello, who reiterated the need to formalize mentorship across all levels of the profession — from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to the Council of Legal Education (CLE) and the Nigerian Law School. Justice Segun-Bello highlighted that mentorship should be a “strategic continuum of learning and moral guidance, not a random favor extended by the privileged.”
The Dialogue featured an engaging panel session moderated by Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, with contributions from senior advocates, judges, and young lawyers alike. Discussions centered on policy design, mentor accreditation, performance evaluation, integration of mentorship into continuing legal education, and the role of technology in creating scalable mentorship systems.
Participants collectively observed a worrying decline in ethical and professional standards within the legal sector — a gap that mentorship could bridge if properly institutionalized. It was noted that while informal mentorship already exists, it remains inconsistent, personality-driven, and lacks monitoring and accountability.
The Dialogue emphasized that young lawyers are eager to learn, but they need structured access, inclusive opportunities, and transparent systems that connect them to mentors who are genuinely committed to their growth. The gathering also noted that gender inequality and social barriers often limit women and underrepresented groups from accessing mentorship — a concern that must be addressed if the legal profession aims to uphold fairness and justice beyond the courtroom.
At the end of the dialogue, the JASAN Foundation released a communiqué outlining major resolutions and policy recommendations, including:
The institutionalisation of mentorship frameworks within the Nigerian Bar Association and other governing bodies. The integration of mentorship modules into the curriculum of the Nigerian Law School and Council of Legal Education. The development of a national digital mentorship platform that will ensure equitable access and systematic monitoring. The creation of a National Mentorship Oversight Committee to evaluate impact and ensure compliance. The promotion of inclusive mentorship programs that empower young female lawyers and lawyers from disadvantaged regions.
The Dialogue ended on a strong note of commitment from participants who acknowledged that mentorship is not optional — it is essential. The JASAN Foundation called for a renewed sense of responsibility from senior members of the profession to “lift others as they rise.”
By institutionalising mentorship, the legal community will not only preserve the nobility of the profession but also nurture a new generation of disciplined, ethical, and forward-thinking lawyers.
As one participant aptly noted, “If we do not teach integrity, resilience, and humanity to young lawyers, the law itself loses its moral compass.”
All Times Global Magazine celebrates the JASAN Foundation, Justice Johnny Agim SAN, and every stakeholder championing this vital conversation. Institutionalising mentorship is more than a theme — it is the pathway to rebuilding trust, excellence, and legacy in Nigeria’s legal profession.
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