Nigerian lawyer Yusuf Nurudeen has received the International Bar Association (IBA) Pro Bono Award in recognition of his efforts to improve access to justice for poor and vulnerable people.
Nurudeen received the award on October 8, 2026, during the IBA's annual awards breakfast in Copenhagen, Denmark. The award was presented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Babatunde Ajibade, chairman of the IBA Section on Public and Professional Interest for 2025–2026, alongside other section executives.
In his acceptance speech, Nurudeen dedicated the recognition to 141 volunteer lawyers working across 18 states in Nigeria under the Foundation for Public Interest Law and Development, popularly known as The Pro Bono Centre.
He explained that the award recognised the collective efforts of lawyers who provide free legal services to people who cannot afford professional representation.
Nurudeen, who grew up in Ikotun, Lagos, said his commitment to promoting access to justice was shaped by his background and the challenges faced by people who cannot afford legal assistance.
He recalled cases involving Nigerians who allegedly suffered prolonged wrongful incarceration, noting that similar circumstances could have deprived his father of his freedom and prevented him from pursuing his ambitions.
The lawyer identified several groups in need of accessible legal services, including people detained because they cannot afford legal representation, women trapped in abusive marriages, children whose maintenance rights are ignored, and families at risk of losing their homes or livelihoods.
He stressed that poverty should never prevent anyone from defending their fundamental rights.
According to him, the legal profession has a responsibility to ensure that justice is accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances or social status.
Nurudeen added that the volunteer lawyers contribute their time, expertise and resources without expecting financial rewards, helping to bridge the gap between the right to justice and the ability to afford legal representation.
He described the award as a renewed call to expand their work rather than a sign that their mission had been completed.
The lawyer also emphasised that pro bono services should be regarded as a professional responsibility and an essential component of an effective justice system, rather than merely an act of charity.
IBA President Raises Concerns Over International Law
At the conference's opening ceremony, IBA President Claudio Visco warned that the post-war international legal order was facing increasing pressure.
He cautioned against the growing tendency to adopt a 'might makes right' approach to international relations and urged lawyers to defend the rule of law, educate the public and hold powerful individuals and institutions accountable.
Visco also addressed questions surrounding Greenland's sovereignty and security, insisting that sovereignty should not be bought, traded or imposed through coercion.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen similarly defended the importance of international law, citing cooperation among Greenland, Denmark and the United States on defence and security in the High Arctic as an example of how diplomacy could address competing interests.
Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and president of the International Peace Institute, also called for moral courage in confronting abuses of power and protecting human rights.
Fagbemi Urges Reforms in Nigeria's Justice System
Meanwhile, Nigeria's Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, urged Nigerian lawyers attending the conference to develop practical solutions and partnerships to strengthen the country's justice system.
Speaking at a reception for the Nigerian delegation in Copenhagen, Fagbemi said Nigeria needed to focus not only on learning from other countries but also on identifying areas where its own institutions could improve.
He called for stronger cooperation among lawyers, judges, government officials, academics and private-sector stakeholders, stressing that no single institution could independently resolve the challenges facing the justice system.
Fagbemi also highlighted the need to accelerate judicial proceedings, strengthen institutions and expand the use of technology in the administration of justice.
He said Nigerians should experience tangible improvements in justice delivery in their daily lives rather than simply see their rights recognised in legal documents.
Nigeria's Ambassador to Sweden, with concurrent accreditation to Denmark, Finland and Norway, Lola Akande, also advocated stronger cooperation between Nigeria and Nordic countries in trade, investment, innovation, technology and knowledge exchange.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, encouraged Nigerian lawyers to build stronger law firms capable of competing for international legal assignments.
The IBA conference took place in Copenhagen from October 4 to 9, 2026, bringing together more than 5,000 participants from over 2,700 law firms, corporations, governments and regulatory bodies across more than 130 jurisdictions.
The event featured more than 200 scheduled sessions covering international law, dispute resolution, human rights, artificial intelligence, legal services and the future of the legal profession.
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