Muslim lawyers have been urged to rebuild mentorship structures, deepen participation in national legal conversations, and strengthen welfare and support systems so that compassion becomes an integral part of their professional identity within Nigeria’s judicial space.
The Chairman of the Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria, Federal Capital Territory Chapter, Al-Bashir Lawan Likko, made the call at the three-day MULAN Week 2025, themed “One Bar, One Ummah,” held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
He noted that the gathering was a deliberate call for reflection, unity and renewed purpose within the legal profession.
Barrister Likko added that Muslim lawyers stand at a defining moment, as society faces numerous challenges, from ethical decline within the legal space and rising social tensions to weakened mentorship structures and the rapid evolution of technology impacting justice delivery. These issues, he said, require not only skill but clarity of direction, sincerity, and a shared moral compass.
“Many Muslim lawyers remain disconnected from the branch, unaware of the support, learning, and opportunities available to them. If we do not strengthen one another, the profession loses, and the Ummah loses with it.
“This Week, therefore, serves as a bridge between generations, between knowledge and practice, and between individual effort and collective progress,” he added.
He further stressed that the strength of Muslim lawyers should not lie in numbers alone, but in the clarity of their values and the unity of their hearts. He noted that fragmentation remains one of the greatest challenges facing younger lawyers, who often struggle without adequate guidance.
Similarly, the keynote speaker, Professor Yusuf Ali (SAN), represented by Professor Mubarak Adekilekun, said, “One Ummah, One Bar” must serve as a moral compass. According to him, unity among Muslim lawyers is not about forming an enclave but about building a bastion of ethical leadership and standing together to ensure that the law remains a tool for justice and not a weapon of privilege.
Some of the Muslim lawyers who attended the event described it as fruitful and educational and urged their learned colleagues to continue fostering unity and mutual support.
Lateefah Ibrahim