The Oyo State Judiciary hosts the 2026 South-West Zonal Conference of the National Association of Women Judges, Nigeria (NAWJN), in Ibadan from Tuesday, October 13, to Thursday, October 15, 2026, with a focus on mentorship as a tool for empowering women leaders in the legal profession.

The three-day conference, themed “Mentoring: A Tool for Empowering Women Leaders in Law,” brings together judicial officers, legal practitioners and other stakeholders to discuss leadership development, judicial ethics, professional excellence, inclusion and access to justice.

The opening activities commence on Tuesday, October 13, with the arrival and registration of dignitaries and delegates from across the South-West at the Oyo State High Court of Justice, Ibadan. There was a cocktail reception which provides opportunities for participants to interact and network ahead of the technical sessions.

In her welcome address at the official opening ceremony on Wednesday, Hon. Justice I. S.Yerima underscores the importance of mentorship in preparing the next generation of women leaders in the judiciary and the legal profession. She emphasizes the need for experienced judges and legal practitioners to guide younger professionals through constructive feedback, encouragement and opportunities for professional development.

The Chief Judge of Oyo State also commends NAWJN for its contributions to women’s leadership, gender equality and access to justice, urging participants to embrace mentorship as a responsibility that sustains professional excellence and strengthens the justice system.

She stresses that leadership should go beyond personal achievement to include the deliberate development of others, declaring, “We must not merely rise but we must lift others as we rise.”

The conference also features a historical presentation by Mr. T. O. Akinsola, SAN, popularly known as Onigegewura, who traces the development of the Oyo State Judiciary to the establishment of the Western Region High Court in 1955.

His presentation highlights the evolution of the judicial institution and the need for continuous improvement in law reporting, law reform, judicial welfare, functional court registries, digital case management and punctuality in court proceedings.

In a goodwill message, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, describes mentorship as essential to sustainable leadership and institutional development. He notes that leadership without mentorship risks concentrating experience in the hands of a few instead of transferring knowledge and expertise to the next generation.

He emphasizes that empowerment is an expression of justice and leadership is a form of service, while acknowledging the growing contributions of women across the Bench, Bar, legal education and public service.

The First Lady of Oyo State, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde, FNSE, also highlights the importance of intentional mentorship in helping people discover their talents, expand their thinking and achieve their potentials. She encourages experienced professionals to teach younger people how to think rather than what to think.

She urges participants to invest in the future of the profession, noting that, “Plant trees whose shade you may never sit under, because the next generation will benefit from them.”

Similarly, Chief Folake Solanke, SAN, CON calls on women in the legal profession to mentor others through exemplary conduct, helping younger professionals recognize their potential and contributing to the restoration of the profession’s highest standards.

The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Adetunji Babatunde, reaffirms the state government’s commitment to transparent promotion, equal opportunities, anti-discrimination policies, family-friendly workplaces and leadership development.

He encourages young lawyers to seek mentors and remain committed to competence, discipline, ethical conduct and continuous learning. He also calls for mentorship that prepares legal practitioners for emerging fields, including artificial intelligence and technology in law, alternative dispute resolution, commercial and international law, legislative drafting, human rights and governance.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, GCON represented by Hon. Justice Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, CFR, JSC, also underscores the importance of deliberate mentorship in preparing future judicial leaders. Her message recognizes the women who have overcome barriers in the profession and highlights the value of professional example as a means of guiding younger generations.

The technical sessions feature discussions on judicial leadership, ethics, integrity, excellence, inclusion and institutional reform.

The first plenary session, titled “Mentorship and Judicial Leadership: Shaping the Next Generation of Women on the Bench,” is chaired by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako, with Hon. Justice H. M. Ogunwumiju, CFR, as the lead speaker. The discussants include Hon. Justice C. M. A. Olatoregun (Rtd.), Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and Mrs. Funmi Roberts.

The session emphasizes integrity, diligence, legal competence and service as essential qualities of judicial leadership. Participants stress the importance of experienced judicial officers guiding younger judges, promoting responsible use of technology and ensuring that artificial intelligence does not lead to reliance on fictitious case law.

Hon. Justice Olatoregun distinguishes between nurturing and formal mentorship, calling for institutional support through judicial training, counseling, lectures and the attachment of newly appointed judges to experienced judicial officers. She also encourages young judges to develop their own judgment-writing skills.

Prince Fagbemi maintains that leadership is a function rather than a rank, while Mrs. Roberts highlights the importance of preserving the dignity and independence of the Bench and encouraging senior judicial officers to make themselves available for one-on-one mentorship. Justice Nyako urges women judges to support one another and pursue greater visibility in the international legal community.

Another plenary session, “Building a Legacy Through Judicial Ethics, Integrity and Excellence,” is chaired by Hon. Justice O. S. Adeyemi, with Hon. Justice Binta Zubairu, JCA, as the lead speaker. The discussants include Hon. Justice Prof. Alero Akeredolu, Funmi Quadri, SAN.

The discussions focus on judicial ethics, impartiality, accountability, transparency and continuous professional development. Justice Zubairu highlights the importance of integrity and lifelong learning, while Justice Akeredolu identifies character, competence, courage, craftsmanship and humanity as important qualities of judicial officers.

Funmi Quadri, SAN, underscores the need to strengthen public confidence in the justice system by addressing delays, perceived corruption, inconsistent decisions and disobedience to court orders. She calls for reforms and sustained professional training to improve judicial performance and public trust.

The conference also examines the role of women judges in promoting access to justice through a plenary session titled “Women Judges as Custodians of Justice: Building a Legacy of Access, Compassion and Institutional Reform.” The session is chaired by Hon. Justice O. S. Adeyemi, with Hon. Justice O. A. Ipaye as the lead speaker. Discussants include Hon. Justice Toyin Abodunde, Hon. Justice Mabel Segun-Bello and Hon. Justice A. F. K. Adeeyo.

Justice Ipaye discusses specialized courts and initiatives addressing domestic and gender-based violence, alongside the importance of mentorship in improving judicial service delivery. Justice Abodunde highlights gender-sensitive adjudication, equality and the elimination of systemic discrimination, while Hon. Justice Segun-Bello emphasizes the need to create opportunities and build bridges for future generations.

Hon. Justice Adeeyo draws attention to the challenges faced by children, persons with disabilities and indigent persons in accessing justice. She advocates improved access to judicial services, confidentiality, public awareness and appropriate channels for reporting abuse.

 The presentations on the 3^rd day 15^th October include “Overcoming Barriers to Advancement,” delivered by Hon. Justice P. O. Ige, and “Inclusiveness and Diversity in Judicial Excellence,” presented by Hon. Justice O. Oloyede. Interactive sessions also provide participants with opportunities to exchange views and share professional experiences.

The conference reinforces the importance of mentorship, integrity, inclusion, judicial independence and professional excellence in strengthening the justice system. It also calls for practical initiatives that support intergenerational learning, improve access to justice and promote the protection of vulnerable groups.

The gathering concludes with a renewed commitment to developing future judicial leaders, strengthening institutional capacity and ensuring that women in the legal profession continue to contribute meaningfully to justice delivery and the advancement of the rule of law.