The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Taraba State, Yakubu Maikasuwa, has called on legal practitioners to expand their expertise beyond traditional boundaries to remain relevant in an evolving legal landscape.
Maikasuwa made the appeal on Tuesday at the opening of the 2026 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Jalingo Branch, where he emphasized the growing importance of areas such as legal technology, data protection, alternative dispute resolution, and business management.
He noted that innovations including virtual court proceedings and digital research tools are already reshaping legal practice, urging lawyers to embrace these developments to enhance efficiency and improve access to justice.
While advocating modernization, the Attorney General stressed the need for practitioners to uphold core professional values, including integrity, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.
Reaffirming government commitment to the justice sector, Maikasuwa stated that the Taraba State administration under Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas is implementing reforms aimed at strengthening judicial efficiency, promoting capacity building, and expanding access to justice.
He also urged senior members of the bar to mentor younger lawyers, highlighting the importance of knowledge transfer in sustaining the future of the profession.
The week-long event, themed “Raising the Bar: Equipping Lawyers for the Modern Legal Landscape,” focuses on enhancing legal practice in response to technological advancements and changing global standards. Maikasuwa said the theme reflects the need for lawyers to develop competencies beyond conventional legal training.
In his remarks, NBA President Afam Osigwe encouraged practitioners to embrace innovation, warning that resistance to change could result in professional stagnation. He cited examples of organizations that failed due to their inability to adapt and urged lawyers to avoid a similar outcome.
Similarly, the Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, called on lawyers to improve their knowledge through the adoption of technology in order to remain competitive.
Earlier, Chairman of the NBA Jalingo Branch, Martin Mailkman, expressed satisfaction with the turnout, attributing the success of the event to the support of the state government, the bar, and the judiciary.
The Law Week will feature panel discussions, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, with activities expected to culminate in the Chief Judge’s Dinner scheduled for Wednesday.
The opening ceremony concluded with a renewed call for collective responsibility among stakeholders to advance the legal profession, amid optimism about the future of the justice system in Taraba State and Nigeria.
