By Shindong Bala; Editing by Basirat Memudu
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has renewed its call for robust and forward-looking economic legislation as a critical tool for revitalising the economy of Northern Nigeria.
Chairman of the NBA Northern Zonal Committee, Ahmed Maiwada, made this known at the Second National Association Conference of the Section on Business Law held in Kaduna.
He emphasised that the region, with a population exceeding 80 million people and endowed with vast agricultural and mineral resources, has yet to fully harness its economic potential due to inadequate commercial orientation.
Maiwada stressed that the conference theme, “Law as a Catalyst for Economic Growth,” goes beyond rhetoric and represents a collective responsibility for legal practitioners.
According to him, lawyers must adopt a proactive and strategic role by shaping policies, influencing investment decisions, and creating legal frameworks that attract capital to the region.
He urged members of the legal profession to reposition themselves as indispensable partners in business development, noting that lawyers should not only be engaged during disputes but also in structuring viable and sustainable enterprises.
Delivering the keynote address, former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, challenged legal practitioners to contribute meaningfully to improving key economic indicators in Northern Nigeria, including GDP growth, education, employment, investment, and security.
Babandede identified critical areas where legal interventions could significantly impact economic development.
He highlighted illegal mining as a major contributor to insecurity, citing Zamfara State as an example where weak governance has enabled criminal groups to exploit mineral resources.
The former Comptroller-General called on the NBA to advocate for structured mining operations led by credible companies in partnership with local communities to ensure accountability and reduce conflict.
He also underscored the importance of providing legal services to mining communities, noting that such efforts would help marginalised populations benefit from local resources.
On corporate governance, Babandede observed that many businesses in Northern Nigeria operate informally, discouraging investment and limiting sustainability.
He urged the NBA to encourage business owners to adopt modern corporate structures, including formal management systems, boards, and accountability mechanisms.
Addressing property rights, he pointed out that the lack of proper land documentation remains a major barrier to large-scale agriculture and investment.
He recommended collaboration between the NBA and the Presidential Ease of Doing Business Council (PEBEC) to streamline land ownership processes and improve investor confidence.
Babandede further advised the association to explore legal frameworks aligned with local realities, particularly in areas such as inheritance, wills, and Islamic endowments (Waqf), to address poverty and promote inclusive economic participation.
He noted that strong legal systems are essential for enforcing contracts, reducing risks, and lowering transaction costs, adding that economies thrive where legal institutions are reliable and efficient.
“Countries that treat law as an economic tool—not just a control mechanism—position themselves for sustainable growth,” he stated.
Also speaking, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Nnamdi Dimgba, described law as the “silent architecture of economic growth,” noting that effective legal systems enable markets to flourish while weak frameworks hinder development.
He called on legislators to prioritise the modernisation of laws governing commerce, taxation, arbitration, insolvency, and investment to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.
Justice Dimgba also urged the judiciary to align legal interpretations with commercial realities, stressing that judicial decisions have direct implications for investor confidence and economic stability.
He further encouraged legal practitioners to move beyond traditional advocacy and embrace their role as “architects of transactional certainty,” contributing to the design of systems that support sustainable economic development.
The conference brought together legal experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to deliberate on the role of law in unlocking the economic potential of Northern Nigeria, with a consensus that strategic legal reforms are essential for long-term growth and stability.
