The Nigerian Law Society (NLS) has conferred the rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) on Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, and four other legal professionals.
The conferment took place at the society’s 2026 Annual General Conference, themed “Justice for All: Non-Litigation Nigerian Law Graduates Through the Blue Silks (SCN), BOSCON and the NLS”.
In his acceptance speech, delivered by his Special Adviser on Media and Executive Assistant, Mrs Lizzy Okoji, Fani-Kayode called for the protection of the rights and dignity of Nigerians at home and abroad.
He said access to justice should not depend on an individual’s social, economic or political status.
“Justice in its truest form must never be selective. It must not be reserved for the privileged, the powerful or the politically connected. It must be accessible to all,” he said.
Fani-Kayode said his diplomatic assignment in South Africa had reinforced his commitment to human rights, particularly in view of challenges confronting Nigerians in the country.
He said his first official engagement after arriving in South Africa was a town hall meeting with members of the Nigerian community, where he listened to their concerns and assured them of Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens.
He added that promoting human rights required courage, compassion, sacrifice and commitment to truth.
The NLS President, Ambassador Dahiru Aliyu, said the society was established to provide an organised platform for Nigerian law graduates working outside courtroom litigation.
He listed the areas of practice to include corporate administration, legal consultancy, arbitration, mediation, compliance, governance, legislative drafting and research.
Aliyu said the NLS was established alongside the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON) and obtained its certificate on Dec. 30, 2025.
He said the society’s establishment was in line with Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which guarantees freedom of association.
According to him, the Blue Silks initiative recognises professional excellence, dedication and contributions to the legal community.
He said the initiative would also encourage younger law graduates to uphold professional ethics and pursue continuous development.
Aliyu said his administration would prioritise institutional consolidation, membership expansion, continuing professional education, financial accountability and stronger national and international partnerships.
He urged members to promote transparency, comply with the society’s constitution and resolve disagreements through dialogue and lawful dispute resolution mechanisms.
In her keynote address, the BOSCON Chairperson, Hon. Mrs Elizabeth Titilayo Orebiyi, represented by Mrs Ndidi Nicholas Okoro, said legal practice and development extended beyond courtroom litigation.
She identified universities, corporate organisations, legislative chambers, regulatory institutions and policy development as areas where law graduates made significant contributions outside the courtroom.
Orebiyi said the Blue Silks initiative recognised non-litigation legal professionals under four categories: Senior Legal Academic (SLA), Senior Corporate Counsel (SCC), Senior Legislative Counsel (SLC) and Senior Law Reform Counsel (SLRC).
She said the Senior Counsel designation should reflect experience, competence, integrity, intellectual leadership and service.
“A Senior Counsel should be a mentor, a custodian of professional values and an example to those who follow,” she said.
She urged young law graduates to develop expertise in emerging fields, including technology, artificial intelligence, commercial innovation, regulatory transformation, international transactions and alternative dispute resolution.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the NLS Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee, Olufunmilayo Osifuye, said the principles of fairness and accountability should guide everyday relationships and interactions.
Osifuye, who chairs a committee responsible for hearing appeals relating to planning permits and building control in Lagos State, said the NLS was not in competition with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
“We are not competitors to other arms of the legal profession, but complementary to their work because we serve the same goal,” she said.
The Public Relations Officer of the NLS Ogun State Branch urged members to uphold the rule of law, promote peace and protect human dignity.
The five recipients of the SCN rank were Fani-Kayode, Seyi Tinubu, Olufunmilayo Osifuye, Ihudiebube Chukwumdi and Alabi Olalekan Adigun.
The Nation newspaper won the 2026 Best Legal and Judiciary Reporting Award at the conference.
Francis Nnadozie Ibekwe, MCARB, FIBBDE, was also recognised at the event.
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