Yesterday, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) held an induction for the conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Designates. The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, was in attendance and delivered a thought-provoking address.
In his remarks, the NBA President emphasized that attaining the rank of SAN represents reaching the pinnacle of the legal profession. However, he reminded the candidates that while it may be easier to get to the top, staying there is the real test, one that demands discipline, resilience, and accountability.
He cautioned against the pressures of perceived competition, noting that some may feel the need to measure their success against their peers who also took silk. He urged them instead to move at their own pace, without succumbing to the urge to replicate another’s financial or professional trajectory.
Reinforcing his point, Mazi Osigwe SAN drew their attention to Rule 1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, which enjoins every lawyer to act in obedience to the law and remain a shining example, especially to younger members of the profession.
The NBA President further admonished them to uphold the dignity of their new status, stressing that certain habits must be left behind. He noted that it may have seemed fashionable before taking silk to disparage court judgments, often without even reading them; or to make public commentary on pending matters before the courts. Such conduct, he firmly stated, must stop with the assumption of the rank of Senior Advocate.
His address was a timely reminder that the rank of SAN is not only an honour but also a call to greater responsibility, ethical conduct, and leadership within the legal profession.
The formal conferment ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Supreme Court on the 29th of September, 2025.
Getting to the Top is Easier, Staying There is the Real Test: NBA President Charge SAN Designates at BOSAN Induction Ceremony
