Africa Legal Podcast - Episode 13 - 'African Law Student Association' with Atiku M. Jafar

Atiku Jafar is a former president of the Law Students’ Association of Nigeria (Lawsan), a body that represents the 50,000 students studying towards legal degrees at 55 universities in Africa’s biggest economy. Jafar is currently working with Africa Legal to found the African Law Students’ Association and so bring together law students from across the continent. In this podcast interview he speaks about the importance of creating a culture in the legal profession that is focused on mentorship rather than exploitation. In so many parts of Africa young lawyers and interns are overworked and underpaid, with the situation in Nigeria among the worst. It is an issue that raises its head at every election of the Nigerian Bar Association but has yet to be dealt with, he says. With the NBA elections coming up later this month, Jafar says it is only strong leadership and a commitment to change that will improve the lot of young lawyers but, for the sake of the profession and justice in Africa, it has become an imperative. There is growing discontent, he warns, and with modern technology enabling easier communication, a growing groundswell of feeling that the current situation cannot continue. Jafar talks about his own inspiring journey and passion to become educated and eventually to become a lawyer. Strong mentors and the opportunities for internships have shaped him, he says. He touches on the challenges faced by law schools in Nigeria where much of what is being taught is out of date and no longer fit for purpose.

There are no comments yet.

Please log in to write the first comment.