The Legacy Dialogue
The Legacy Dialogue is the JASAN Foundation’s premier annual event dedicated to shaping conversations that inspire reform, innovation, thought leadership, mentorship, and professional excellence in the legal profession. It convenes distinguished senior advocates, jurists, legal practitioners, and policymakers to confront the profession’s pressing challenges and chart a course for an ethical, inclusive, and future-ready legal system. This is where ideas evolve into action, and action shapes legacy.
The Legacy Dialogue 1.0
On Friday, 13 September 2024, the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja came alive with the inaugural edition of The Legacy Dialogue 1.0 – themed “The Future of Law & Professional Identity Formation: The Role of Strategic Sponsorship & Mentorship.” This flagship event doubled as the official launch of the JASAN Foundation, unveiling of its Logo, the 50th birthday celebration of the Foundation’s Founder/President, Mr. Johnny Agim, SAN and introducing a bold launch of the ₦1 billion Endowment Fund, seeded with ₦250 million to finance scholarships and mentorship programmes.
The Conversations
The keynote address, delivered by Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, SAN, set the tone with a compelling exploration of how strategic sponsorship and structured mentorship can shape the next generation of legal professionals. Oyetola Muyiwa Atoyebi, SAN, the youngest recipient of the SAN title, brought his innovative, tech-driven perspective as moderator, steering discussions that were as engaging as they were transformative.
The distinguished panel featured:
- Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello, Federal High Court Judge
- Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, Director-General, Nigerian Law School
- Ayotunde Foluso Ogunleye, SAN, Founder, Legal Tuxedo & Associates
- The Chief Guest of Honour, Governor
- Prince Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State, added political gravitas to the occasion.
Highlights & Impact
The dialogue ignited a clear call to action: build a structured mentorship ecosystem through collaboration between senior lawyers, professional bodies, and legal institutions. The event also marked the launch of the #Legacy500 Competition, awarding full Nigerian Law School scholarships (₦1.1 million each) to eleven exceptional final-year law students, who would then embark on the 10-year #Legacy500 Elite Mentorship Programme.
The Legacy Dialogue 1.0 was more than an event – it was the beginning of a movement, setting the stage for a generational shift in how the legal profession nurtures talent, transfers wisdom, and sustains integrity.
Dignitaries in Attendance
As part of our vision of building a lasting legacy through our sponsorship, mentorship, reforms and advocacy programmes, the JASAN Foundation embarked on a series of high-level courtesy visits to distinguished leaders across the judiciary, the Bar, government, and society.
Panel Discussion
Awards Presentation
More Sights and Faces
The Legacy Dialogue
The Legacy Dialogue is the JASAN Foundation’s premier annual event, dedicated to shaping conversations that inspire reform, innovation, thought leadership, mentorship, and professional excellence in the legal profession.
It convenes distinguished Senior Advocates, jurists, legal practitioners, and policymakers to confront pressing challenges and chart a course for an ethical, inclusive, and future-ready legal system. This is where ideas evolve into action, and action shapes legacy.
Legacy Dialogue 1.0
On Friday, 13th September 2024, the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, came alive with the inaugural edition of The Legacy Dialogue 1.0 – themed:
“The Future of Law & Professional Identity Formation: The Role of Strategic Sponsorship & Mentorship.”
This flagship event also marked:
- The official launch of the JASAN Foundation,
- The unveiling of the Foundation’s Logo,
- The 50th birthday celebration of the Founder/President, Mr. Johnny Agim, SAN, and
- The bold launch of the ₦1 Billion Endowment Fund, seeded with ₦250 Million, to finance scholarships and mentorship programmes.
The Conversations
The Keynote Address by Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, SAN set the tone with a compelling exploration of how strategic sponsorship and structured mentorship can transform the next generation of legal professionals.
The session was moderated by Oyetola Muyiwa Atoyebi, SAN who brought a tech-driven, innovative perspective, steering discussions that were as engaging as they were transformative.
The distinguished panel featured:
- Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello – Judge, Federal High Court
- Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN – Director-General, Nigerian Law School
- Ayotunde Foluso Ogunleye, SAN – Founder, Legal Tuxedo & Associates
- The Chief Guest of Honour, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, brought political gravitas to the occasion, underscoring the event’s national significance.
Highlights & Impact
The dialogue ignited a clear call to action: to build a structured mentorship ecosystem through collaboration between senior lawyers, professional bodies, and legal institutions.
Key highlights included:
The launch of the #Legacy500 Sponsorship Programme, awarding full Nigerian Law School scholarships (₦1.1 million each) to 11 indigent final-year law students.
The introduction of the 10-year #Legacy500 Elite Mentorship Programme, equipping beneficiaries with guidance, sponsorship, and professional exposure.
The Legacy Dialogue 1.0 was more than an event – it was the beginning of a movement, setting the stage for a generational shift in how the legal profession.
Recent Posts
The Legacy Dialogue 2.0
Building on the resounding success of its debut, Legacy Dialogue 2.0 promises to be an even bigger, bolder, and more impactful gathering of Nigeria’s finest legal minds. With richer conversations, expanded panels, and groundbreaking initiatives in mentorship, legal service reforms, and public interest advocacy, this year’s event is set to raise the bar for professional engagement in the legal space. The stage is being set for a transformative experience that will surpass the precedent of Legacy Dialogue 1.0 — ensuring that the JASAN Foundation continues to shape the future of the legal profession in Nigeria.
