By Ebunoluwa Sessou

Women in the legal profession have been urged to break barriers, embrace mentorship, and take deliberate steps toward leadership positions, regardless of age or societal expectations.

This was the thrust of discussions at an 2026 Women in Law Mentoring Program in commemoration of the International Women’s Day, IWD, organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Lagos Branch, in partnership with Women in Management, Business and Public Service, WIMBIZ, aimed at empowering female lawyers and addressing gender gaps within the legal sector.

The event, 2026 Women in Law Mentoring Program, with the theme, “Give to Gain: Shaping Women for Leadership and Legacy, was centred around mentorship, leadership, and inclusion which brought together senior legal practitioners, judges, and aspiring female lawyers for knowledge-sharing and capacity building.

In her keynote address, the Justice of Supreme Court of Nigeria, Helen Ogunwumiju, CFR, underscored the importance of mentorship as a critical tool for professional development, urging senior professionals to intentionally guide younger women.

“Mentorship must be deliberate. Many young women are in need of guidance but may not know where to find it. A simple word of advice at the right time can transform a career,” she said.

She encouraged young lawyers to remain focused, consistent, and committed to excellence, noting that success in the legal profession requires diligence and continuous learning.

“As a lawyer, you must do your work and do it well. The legal profession is a craft; you either master it or you don’t. Your competence and consistency will define your career,” she added.

Ogunwumiju also urged young professionals to build strong reputations, stressing that credibility and confidence are essential in gaining clients’ trust and advancing in the profession.

Also, the Executive Director of WIMBIZ, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, highlighted the persistent gender imbalance in leadership within the legal sector, despite women’s intellectual capacity and qualifications.
She revealed that women occupy only a small fraction of top positions, including the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and leadership roles within NBA branches nationwide.

Her words: “Although the legal profession is intellectually driven and women do not lack competence, the numbers at the top do not reflect this reality. This raises questions about the systemic and cultural barriers limiting women’s advancement,” she said.

Akingbohungbe explained that the mentoring programme was designed to bridge this gap by connecting aspiring female lawyers with accomplished professionals who can guide them through career challenges.
“We are equipping women with practical knowledge, strategies, and insights to help them navigate their career paths, overcome barriers, and attain leadership positions,” she said.

She disclosed that the previous edition of the mentoring initiative impacted over 2,000 female lawyers, with more than 80 per cent of participants reporting increased clarity on their career progression and leadership goals.

“It is based on the success of that programme that the NBA Lagos Branch partnered with WIMBIZ to expand the initiative and reach more women within the legal sector,” she added.

Akingbohungbe noted that beyond mentorship, the initiative also seeks to promote advocacy for inclusive policies and reforms that will eliminate discriminatory practices in the workplace.

“Our goal is not just to mentor women but to create a movement where they can advocate for change, influence policies, and ensure inclusivity within the legal profession and beyond,” she said.

She added that while the NBA focuses on the legal profession, WIMBIZ operates across multiple sectors, positioning it to extend similar initiatives to industries such as finance, aviation, maritime, and others.

Meanwhhile, the Chairman of NBA Lagos Branch, Uchenna Ogunedo Akingbade, said the initiative was designed to inspire women across all age groups and career levels, stressing that success and leadership are not limited by age.

“This initiative is not just for young professionals. There are people who have attained the rank of Senior Advocate at 60, others who still aspire to the bench in their late 50s, and individuals who seek board appointments in their 60s and 70s.

“What we want is for women to be inspired, energised, and confident that regardless of their stage in life, they can still pursue their dreams and achieve greatness,” she said.

She explained that the mentoring programme commenced earlier in March with a virtual session that attracted massive participation, adding that the physical event marked the second phase of the initiative.
According to her, over 700 mentees registered for the programme, while the current phase recorded full attendance of about 300 participants, reflecting growing interest among women in the profession.

“This programme will run until July, and we are targeting between 500 and 1,000 women. From the turnout and enthusiasm so far, we are confident of reaching that goal,” she added.

She further highlighted the need for workplace policies that support women, particularly in balancing career progression with family responsibilities.

“Women should not be disadvantaged because of their natural roles, such as maternity. Employers must create policies that enable women to thrive, including flexible work arrangements and fair career progression systems,” she said.

The NBA chairman also emphasised the role of technology in enabling women to excel, noting that digital tools have made it easier for women to balance multiple responsibilities while remaining productive.

“Women are natural multitaskers, but they need supportive environments to truly excel. With technology, it is no longer necessary to be physically present at all times before productivity is measured,” she noted.
Participants at the event described the programme as impactful and timely, expressing optimism that it would boost women’s confidence, enhance their professional growth, and increase female representation in leadership roles.

The event forms part of broader activities marking International Women’s Day, aimed at accelerating gender equality, fostering inclusion, and empowering women to take up leadership roles across sectors.