YENAGOA — Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on members of the legal profession to embrace their nation-building responsibilities by strengthening institutions, upholding justice and safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s legal system.
Jonathan made the call on Friday while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The former president, who disclosed details of the event on his Facebook page, attended the programme alongside members of the association and other distinguished guests.
The 2026 Law Week was themed, “Securing the Future: Sustainable National Asset Protection in Africa; Opportunities, Risks and Regulatory Pathways.”
Speaking during the plenary session, Jonathan urged both the Bench and the Bar to recognize their crucial role in shaping the nation’s future through the promotion of justice, accountability and effective regulatory frameworks.
According to him, the well-being and progress of any nation depend largely on the impartiality of the judiciary, the strength of its institutions and the integrity of its values.
Addressing legal practitioners and judicial officers as “stewards of the legal system” and “guardians of regulatory frameworks,” Jonathan stressed the need for them to remain committed to fairness and the rule of law.
He noted that Nigeria’s future could only be secured when justice prevails over power, institutions are stronger than individuals, and the law provides equal protection for both the powerful and the vulnerable.
The former president also advocated reforms to the country’s post-colonial education system, arguing that it must be repositioned to meet the realities and demands of a rapidly changing world.
Jonathan said the combined pursuit of justice, strong institutions, educational reform and equality before the law would provide the foundation for a stable, prosperous and just society.
He maintained that the legal profession has a central role to play in advancing these ideals and ensuring sustainable national development.
