The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) on Tuesday held an induction ceremony for the conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) designates. The event was graced by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, who delivered a thought-provoking charge to the new inductees.
In his remarks, Osigwe reminded the designates that while attaining the rank of SAN signifies reaching the pinnacle of the legal profession, the true test lies in sustaining that status through discipline, resilience, and accountability.
“Getting to the top is easier; staying there is the real test,” he said, cautioning against the temptation to compare themselves with peers or replicate another’s financial or professional trajectory. He urged them to move at their own pace and remain grounded in the values of integrity and professional ethics.
Reinforcing this, the NBA President drew attention to Rule 1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, which enjoins lawyers to obey the law and serve as shining examples, particularly to younger colleagues.
He stressed that the rank of SAN demands higher responsibility, including shedding old habits that may have seemed acceptable before taking silk. According to him, disparaging court judgments without reading them, or making public commentary on pending cases, must cease with their elevation.
Osigwe emphasized that the honour of being a Senior Advocate of Nigeria is also a call to leadership and exemplary conduct in the legal profession.
The formal conferment of the SAN rank is scheduled to hold at the Supreme Court on September 29, 2025.
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