Legal practitioners and technology experts have urged young lawyers to embrace data privacy and artificial intelligence (AI) governance, warning that legal professionals who fail to understand emerging digital regulations may become irrelevant in modern practice.
The call was made during the Young Lawyers’ Forum 2026 organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, in Lagos State, where panelists described data as the “new oil” driving the global digital economy.
Speakers at the forum noted that industries such as banking, fintech, healthcare, telecommunications, insurance, e-commerce, cybersecurity, education, and government services now rely heavily on personal data and AI-powered systems to improve efficiency, predict behaviour, and drive innovation.
They, however, warned that the rapid adoption of AI and data-driven technologies has also introduced serious legal and ethical concerns, including privacy breaches, cyber threats, discrimination, bias, lack of transparency, and accountability challenges.
According to the panelists, the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 has created growing demand for lawyers with expertise in data protection, compliance, cross-border data transfers, governance frameworks, vendor management, and cybersecurity regulations.
“The modern lawyer must move beyond traditional legal practice and become technology-conscious, commercially strategic, and data-aware,” the experts said.
They added that the shortage of professionals in privacy and AI governance presents a major opportunity for young lawyers seeking specialised career paths, stressing that human judgment, ethics, advocacy, and strategic reasoning remain areas AI cannot replace.
Speaking during the session, data privacy lawyer Great Ijomah said the global economy has shifted from dependence on oil to dependence on data, making privacy law increasingly important.
“There is no technology developed today without data. Every sector now depends on data, and that is why lawyers must understand privacy and governance issues,” he said.
Ijomah explained that lawyers may not need advanced technical expertise in software engineering or cybersecurity but are essential in ensuring that digital products and AI systems comply with legal and ethical standards.
“The role of a lawyer begins from the conception stage of a product. Lawyers must guide organisations on what the law requires, including the need to appoint data protection officers and comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act,” he stated.
He further noted the shortage of lawyers specialising in data protection and urged young practitioners to develop interest in AI governance and compliance advisory.
Also speaking, privacy law scholar Dr Emmanuel Salami said data-related concerns now affect virtually every aspect of daily life and legal practice.
“I think every problem today is a data problem,” he said.
Salami explained that many businesses collect users’ personal information through websites, mobile applications, games, and online platforms, often without users fully understanding how their data is processed or monetised.
“You may download an application or play a game online without realising that you are contributing to a multinational company’s data collection system,” he said.
He added that issues surrounding data governance, auditing, and security now extend to election management systems and electronic transmission of results, raising concerns about privacy and protection against manipulation.
Salami further warned that technological advancements increasingly make it possible to convert non-personal data into identifiable personal information, making privacy regulation even more critical.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Olumide Babalola, highlighted the economic value of data, noting that the world’s biggest companies today are technology firms built on data control.
“Twenty years ago, oil companies dominated the global economy, but today companies like Microsoft, Google, and Meta are among the biggest because they control data,” he said.
Babalola urged young lawyers to identify emerging areas of specialisation that can distinguish them within the profession.
“You do not have to abandon other aspects of law, but you must identify your niche and do something differently,” he advised.
According to him, businesses increasingly require legal advisers who understand AI technologies, digital governance, and compliance obligations.
“Data is no longer just the new oil; it has become the oxygen we breathe,” he added.
He also warned that AI systems are evolving rapidly, with technologies now capable of generating texts, videos, and voice simulations that could significantly affect legal practice and society.
Contributing to the discussion, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and academic, Abayomi Adebayo, described data as a powerful tool capable of influencing consumer behaviour, financial decisions, and personal identity.
“The more personal the information is, the more powerful it becomes,” he said.
Adebayo warned that misuse of personal data could lead to identity theft, manipulation, and financial fraud, stressing that lawyers must understand compliance obligations to properly advise clients and remain relevant in contemporary legal practice.
The panelists unanimously agreed that the future of legal practice will increasingly revolve around technology, privacy, AI governance, and data protection, urging young lawyers to position themselves for opportunities within the evolving digital economy.
