… Hails Personal Assistant to the President for constant support to young lawyers in Nigeria.
Speaking at a recent event,hosted by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ogun State Branch on Thursday, Barrister Whyte highlighted the significant role Hon. Kamarudeen has played in fostering growth and development among the legal youth community in the country.
According to him, the presidential aide has consistently demonstrated a passion for capacity building and professional advancement for young legal practitioners.
“Hon. Kamarudeen Yussuf has proven to be a dependable pillar of support for young lawyers in Nigeria. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we sincerely appreciate his contributions to our professional journey,” he stated.
Meanwhile, in recognition of his own outstanding contributions to youth development and civic responsibility, Barrister Habeeb Ibidapo Whyte was honoured with the Award for Youth Empowerment and Civic Leadership.
The award celebrates his dedication to empowering the next generation and promoting active civic engagement across communities.
Earlier before his award presentation, Barrister Habeeb Whyte delivered a thought-provoking presentation on “The Rise of Cause Lawyering” at a recent event hosted by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ogun State Branch on Thursday.
In his presentation , Whyte highlighted how traditional cause lawyering, where lawyers use their expertise to champion social or political causes is undergoing a significant transformation in the digital era.
He outlined how modern cause lawyers now operate across multiple dimensions, including digital advocacy, impact litigation, policy entrepreneurship, and community lawyering.
He emphasized that the complex dynamics between lawyers and social movements demand a delicate balance between professional obligations and political strategy, especially when legal decisions may clash with broader movement goals.
Rather than viewing technological advancements as threats, Whyte urged the legal community to embrace tools like generative AI, blockchain, data analytics, and virtual law practices to scale access to justice and innovate service delivery.
We can now automate routine tasks, lower service costs, and use data to expose systemic injustices. Technology, if responsibly applied, is a powerful enabler of justice,” he asserted.
Whyte also called for a radical overhaul of legal education in Nigeria to prepare lawyers for the future.
“To prepare lawyers for these new causes, legal education must evolve beyond traditional casebook methods
He proposed incorporating training in legal technology, business skills, interdisciplinary studies, and, most importantly, a mindset shift from rigid traditionalism to one that embraces growth, experimentation, and innovation.
“Technology Training: Incorporating courses on legal tech, data analytics, and AI ethics into the core curriculum
“Business Acumen: Teaching law students about law firm management, alternative fee structures, and client service innovation
“Interdisciplinary Studies: Combining legal training with public policy, technology, and social entrepreneurship
“Mindset Shifting: Moving from a "fixed mindset" focused on precedent and perfection to a "growth mindset" embracing experimentation and learning from failure”.
