By Chijioke Okoronkwo
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the Nigerian justice system must embrace technology and innovation for efficient service delivery.
Osinbajo said technology is imperative for the evolution of the profession and national development.
The vice president revealed this in a statement by his spokesman Laolu Akande on Monday in Abuja.
He said when he delivered a pre-recorded speech as a guest speaker at the 2021 Annual Law Week of the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The theme of the event is “Disruption, innovation and the bar”.
Osinbajo said technology and innovation would ensure that the country’s justice delivery mechanism is based on a system of enforceable and discernible laws and effective institutions.
The vice president said the country’s justice system could support essential investments in the current vibrant economy.
“Questions should also be asked about preparing our profession to engage in new markets as presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).
“Nigerian banks and financial services are already crossing borders in Africa, acquiring banks in several African countries.
“Thus, AfCTA will open up new cross-border business opportunities, and our profession should pay attention to the rules of engagement for legal services and how they can propel our business. “
Innovation in Nigeria’s legal profession requires urgency to fit into the world that thrives on the knowledge-based economy and jobs threatened by digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI), VP says .
He cited the example of how the continuous improvement in the quality of smartphone cameras has disrupted global digital camera sales.
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