Legal, Policy Leaders Discuss Reform Implementation at NBA-SBL Conference

Raheem Akingbolu

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has stated that Nigeria is currently undertaking some of the most far-reaching economic and institutional reforms in its history.

Speaking in Abuja recently at the Opening Dinner Ceremony of the 20th Annual International Business Law Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), themed “Beyond Reforms: Measuring Policy Impact,” the Minister represented by the SSA to the President on Arbitration and Drafting (Office of the HAGF/Minister of Justice), Hussein Taiye Oloyode, acknowledged that while the pace of these reforms may appear gradual, they are both strategic and necessary for the country’s long-term prosperity.

The Attorney General expressed confidence that Nigeria’s economic future remains promising, provided reforms are translated into meaningful improvements in governance, investment, and the overall well-being of citizens.

Also speaking during the fireside chat at the event themed, “From Reform to Results: Strengthening the Impact of Nigeria’s Economic Policies,” Dr Jumoke Oduwole, stated that the agenda of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fundamentally focused on driving and coordinating impactful reforms across Nigeria’s economic and governance landscape. She explained that the administration’s success is measured by the extent to which its policies and reforms deliver tangible outcomes that improve economic performance, strengthen institutions, and enhance citizens’ welfare.

Speaking on the administration’s reform agenda, she emphasised that impact remains the central benchmark against which government initiatives are assessed. According to her, the objective is not merely to introduce reforms but to ensure that such reforms translate into measurable, sustainable improvements across key sectors of the economy.

Responding to a question on the role of legal reforms in driving impactful change, Dr Oduwole underscored the indispensable role of legal practitioners within the reform ecosystem. She noted that lawyers occupy strategic positions across the entire reform value chain, from policy conception and legislative drafting to implementation, compliance, dispute resolution, and regulatory oversight. She further observed that the legal profession serves as a critical bridge between policy objectives and practical execution, ensuring that reforms are effectively institutionalised, legally sound, and capable of delivering their intended outcomes.

She concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to fostering a regulatory and legal environment that promotes innovation, investment, economic growth, and sustainable national development.

Earlier, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, SAN, had commended the NBA-SBL for its outstanding contributions to the development of Nigeria’s corporate and commercial legal landscape. He acknowledged the Section’s leadership in promoting legal scholarship, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement on critical business law issues. He urged the section to continue setting the highest standards of excellence and innovation in advancing legal and regulatory frameworks that support economic growth and national development.

The chief host at the event and the Chairperson of the NBA Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), Ozofu ‘Latunde Ogiemudia, described the event as a celebration of the immense contributions of business law to corporate governance, regulatory reforms, and economic development in Nigeria and across Africa. According to her, the NBA-SBL conference’s 20-year journey is a compelling story of innovation, reform, and institutional impact. She noted that the Section has, over the past two decades, played a critical role in shaping policies, fostering legal excellence, and contributing to the development of a business-friendly environment capable of driving sustainable economic growth.