In July 2025, the Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI Nigeria) marked a significant milestone in advancing access to justice with the relaunch of its Pro Bono Network, a platform dedicated to promoting public interest lawyering and legal empowerment in Nigeria. The relaunch was commemorated with a capacity-building webinar titled “Fostering Resilience in the Legal Profession Through Pro Bono Alliance.”

The virtual event brought together legal professionals, academics, law students, and civil society actors to explore how pro bono collaborations can enhance justice delivery, support vulnerable groups, and strengthen the resilience of Nigeria’s legal community. Speakers emphasized the crucial role of partnerships and experiential learning in deepening the culture of service within the legal profession.

As part of this renewed commitment, the NULAI Pro Bono Network entered into a strategic partnership with Kenna Partners, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial law firms renowned for its contributions to social impact and professional development. Through this collaboration, both institutions will work together to expand access to justice for indigent persons by offering free legal representation, mentorship opportunities, and joint legal empowerment initiatives. The partnership will also promote experiential learning for law students through law clinics, providing them with hands-on exposure to real-life legal issues affecting marginalized communities, ensuring that the next generation of lawyers develops both professional competence and a strong sense of social responsibility.

In further demonstration of its commitment to advancing pro bono culture, the NULAI Pro Bono Network also signed a new partnership agreement with The Global Network for Public Interest Law (PILnet). This collaboration will strengthen Nigeria’s ecosystem for public interest and pro bono lawyering by expanding existing networks, fostering the legal empowerment of civil society actors, and promoting a resilient civic space.