Former Emir of Kano and ex-Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has warned that the legal profession may face extinction if it fails to adapt to the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
He gave the cautionary note while addressing legal professionals at a public event on judicial reforms and legal education held in Lagos on Wednesday.
According to Sanusi, technological advancement, particularly in artificial intelligence and automation, poses a significant challenge to traditional legal practice. He stressed the need for lawyers, judges, and legal educators to urgently embrace innovation or risk being left behind.
“The legal profession, like many others, must confront the reality that technology is not just disrupting industries—it is redefining them. If lawyers do not evolve, the profession may gradually lose relevance,” he stated.
Sanusi also advocated for the integration of digital tools and critical thinking in legal education, warning that resistance to change will only weaken the justice delivery system.
He emphasized that the future of law lies in data analytics, digital evidence management, and virtual legal services—areas where Nigerian practitioners must upskill to remain globally competitive.
The former emir urged legal institutions and regulatory bodies to review their curricula and professional standards to align with current global realities, noting that legal services must be more accessible, efficient, and tech-compliant to meet modern societal needs.