The Nigerian Bar Association has called for a fundamental restructuring of legal practice in Nigeria, urging lawyers to move away from founder-dependent models and build firms capable of surviving across generations.

The President of the association, Afam Osigwe, made the call in Abuja during The Convergence Africa Masterclass 26 for Law, stressing that the future of the profession lies in institutionalised partnerships and shared responsibility.

He noted that many law firms in Nigeria collapse after the retirement or death of their founders, limiting growth, continuity, and global competitiveness.

Osigwe said the profession must adopt a new approach that prioritises sustainability, succession planning, and institutional strength rather than structures tied to a single individual.

According to him, partnership-based models would allow firms to pool intellectual and financial resources, attract talent, and build enduring enterprises.

He added that such models would also ensure that firms continue to operate effectively even after the founder exits active practice.

The NBA president emphasised that lawyers must begin to deliberately build structures that can stand the test of time and deliver long-term value.

Also speaking at the event, stakeholders highlighted the importance of internal structure, shared vision, and deliberate succession planning in ensuring the longevity of law firms.

They noted that strong institutional frameworks, rather than individual prominence, are key to building firms that can endure across generations.