The 16th Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, has said the legal profession is facing an existential crisis.

He stated this yesterday in Lagos while delivering a keynote address at the 19th Annual International Business Law Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), with the theme – The future of business law in an intelligence age.

According to him, “the lawyer, as we have known him, the draftsman, the custodian of precedents, the gatekeeper of due process, is at risk of becoming obsolete.

“Not because the law is dying, but because the world is moving faster than your doctrines. In an Intelligence Age, traditional legal services must innovate to remain relevant. Automation presents risks, but it also presents opportunities for legal practitioners to enhance their offerings through technology,” he said.

No fewer than 1, 000 lawyer worldwide are attending the conference, proudly hosted by the Nigeria Bar Association Section on Business Law.

His words “We are not approaching an era of transformation. We are in it. We find ourselves at a critical juncture in human history, where the rapid advancement of technology is fundamentally reshaping every facet of our lives.

“Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, big data, and blockchain are no longer buzzwords; they have become integral parts of our personal and professional environments.

“As we explore the implications of these developments, it is crucial to understand that intelligence today is not merely about augmented capabilities, but about the ethical responsibilities that come with such power. It is about making informed decisions, protecting rights, and ensuring equity in a world where technology influences every decision we make.

“The opportunities presented by this Intelligence Age are monumental. From streamlining operations to enhancing customer experiences, or improving efficiency, and maximizing profitability, technology alleviates burdens and ignites innovation. However, with these opportunities arise significant challenges”, he said.

According to him, technology is no longer optional; it is essential. Continuing education programs must incorporate technological proficiency, ensuring that upcoming legal practitioners are well-equipped for the challenges ahead. Legal education must be reimagined.

He stressed that Lawyers could not continue training for a world that no longer exists.

“A twenty-first-century Nigerian lawyer must graduate knowing both corporate law and the significance of technology in legal practice; he needs to be steeped in the knowledge of constitutional rights as well as data privacy and cybersecurity risks”. (Daily Trust)