Law teachers in Nigeria have resolved to chart a course for urgent policy and curriculum reforms aimed at accelerating national development.
The push will come in the 56th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT) to be hosted by the faculty of Law, University of Abuja, Nigeria, beginning from from October 26 to 30, 2025.
Mainstreaming of Artificial Intelligence, modern biotechnology, legal reform- tax into educational curriculum to meet emerging needs of the society will also take center stage as legal scholars, policy makers, jurists, and practitioners from across Nigeria and beyond gather.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, said this year’s theme, “Law, National Development and Economic Sustainability in a Globalized World,” reflects a bold effort by law teachers to offer fresh legal perspectives to some of Nigeria’s most pressing developmental challenges.
“This conference aims to give voice to critical reforms and emerging issues that affect Nigerians. Our focus is not only on discussion but on pushing for urgent policy and curriculum changes that can accelerate national development,” Prof. Abugu said.
According to him, the conference will explore how law teaching and legal scholarship can respond to Nigeria’s complex realities including corruption, insecurity, weak institutions, and the lack of access to quality education.
He emphasised that the legal community must begin to embrace emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and biotechnology to make law teaching more responsive to the needs of society and aligned with global trends.
“We believe law teaching can play a transformative role. For example, anti-corruption education, ethics in legal training, and tech-driven legal instruction can help tackle issues like corruption and brain drain,” he explained.
Prof. Abugu further said that the conference would advocate for Curriculum reforms that make legal education more relevant and practical, Technology integration to improve access to legal training, Capacity building for law teachers through continuous professional development and Partnerships with legal institutions and industries to enhance skill-based learning
He noted that through these approaches, Nigerian law faculties can contribute meaningfully to national policy, social justice, and economic growth.
The conference will feature keynote speakers including senior academics, judges, and policymakers; Plenary sessions, paper presentations, and panel discussions on AI, biotechnology, environmental law, and human rights;side events such as student forums and legal education workshops.
Preparations are said to be in full swing, with the University of Abuja promising a seamless and impactful event.
“We are leaving no stone unturned. From logistics and accommodation to security and technical setup, every detail is being meticulously handled to ensure a memorable and historic gathering,” Professor Abugu assured.
He invited law teachers, legal professionals, students, and the public to participate in what promises to be a landmark event in the evolution of legal education and reform in Nigeria.
Olusola Akintonde