By Gideon Maxwell
September 9, 2026
Former Nigerian Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo has spent an eventful two days with fellow legal practitioners at the Pan African Lawyers’ Union (PALU) conference in Cairo, Egypt.
The event marked the 16th Annual Pan African Lawyers’ Union conference.
This year’s gathering carried the timely focus on “The African Lawyer in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Leveraging Technology to achieve a just and prosperous Africa”.
During his keynote address, Professor Osinbajo examined the complex relationship between artificial intelligence, justice systems, and the legal profession.
His address covered key topics ranging from copyright issues to the evolving role of the lawyer in an increasingly AI-dependent age.
Addressing the implications for youth, he noted that artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and risks for children, especially across Africa.
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This critical balance was further explored in a dedicated session chaired by Professor Osinbajo with the Justice Research Institute (JRI).
The session was titled “Guardrails, Not Gates – Design Accountability, AI and Data Sovereignty for Africa’s Children”.
It was expertly moderated by Ikem Isiekwena, JRI Executive Director and Managing Partner of SimmonsCooper Partners Law Firm.
The panel featured distinguished experts including Dr Olugbemisolatitilayo Odusote, Director General of the Nigerian Law School.
Other panellists included Fernandez Marcus-Obiene, Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Justice Reforms and Digital Innovations.
Honourable Albab Tesfaye Ayalew from the Africa Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) also contributed to the discussion.
The panel further welcomed Themba Mahleka, Associate Director for Justice for All/NYU-CIC, focusing on access to justice, legal tech, and governance innovation across Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Miriam Beatrice Wanijuru, Programmes Officer at Paradigm Initiative, rounded out the expert panel.
Professor Osinbajo extended special thanks to PALU President Tewodros Getachew Tulu and PALU CEO Donald Deya for their kind invitation and hospitality.
