By Thompson Yamput
A don, Prof. Daniel Atidoga, has said that law schools must intentionally create curricular that foster lawyers’ vision, courage, and strategic thinking for effective social change advocacy.
The Professor of International Criminal Law, made this known at the Law Seminar/Symposium organised by Law College of Salem University Lokoja in celebration of its Students Law Week on Thursday.
Atidoga, who is the Dean, Faculty of Law, Prince Audu Abubakar University (PAAU), Anyigba, Kogi, spoke on thetopic: “Lawyers as Change Agents: Driving Social Reform and Advocacy “.
“Lawyers need to be able to see the big picture, anticipate future outcomes, and understand the broader impact of their actions.
“A strong vision allows them to develop long-term strategies and make informed decisions,” he said.
He said that the new curriculum should include expanded clinical education, ethics instruction that emphasizes public service responsibilities, and interdisciplinary approaches that connect legal doctrine to social context.
“When wielded with skill, courage, and strategic vision, legal advocacy can indeed function as a powerful catalyst for social transformation, even
in challenging contexts.
“This is because the story of Nigerian lawyers as social change agents contains both inspiration and caution.
“It demonstrates our profession’s capacity to meaningfully impact society beyond traditional client service, yet also reveals the formidable obstacles that constrain such efforts, ” he said.
According to him, looking forward, several emerging trends will likely shape the evolution of lawyers’ social change roles in Nigeria for the benefit of the citizens.
The don also stressed that digital rights advocacy was growing in importance as technology transforms social and political life, requiring legal innovation to protect privacy, expression, and access in digital contexts.
He added: “Climate litigation represents another frontier, with lawyers developing new theories to address environmental degradation and resource management.
“Meanwhile, intergenerational mentorship within the legal community ensures that experiences and strategies from earlier struggles inform contemporary advocacy.”
Atidoga said late Chief Gani Fawehinmi once observed that the law may not be a perfect instrument of social change, but it remains one of the most potent tools at our disposal.
Also speaking, Salem University Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Alewo Johnson-Akubo, described the topic of the seminar as “very germain and inspiring ” to the law students and the practicing lawyers in the country.
The VC commended Atidoga for a well-researched paper and the justice done at its presentation before the participants and the salem university community.
Earlier in his welcome address, Salem University LAWSAN/ Law Students Society President, Jesse Alewo- Akubo expressed optimism that the Prof. Atidoga’s paper would critically explores the role of Nigerian lawyers as dynamic agents of social
change.
Alewo-Akubo said that the seminar/symposium organised as part of the Students law week celebration would go a long way in encouraging the students in pursuit of their careers. NAN
