Business
Being a Young Lawyer is not a Disadvantage, my Young Lawyers between One to Seven Years at the Bar by Olumide Akindiya, Esq.
My belief has always been that years at the bar does not mean superior knowledge of law. This was due to my early preparedness for this profession right from 400 level that I had been appearing in courts to watch proceedings, jolted some points and after being a law graduate, I did internship in a law firm before the time for law school. During my law school, I had made findings on law practice and I had my three goals: contributing to law practice; taking my benefits I am entitled to in law profession and contributing to my community and Nigeria as a whole. This led to my investment in legal research, legal writings and advocacy; my early exit from one year pupilage and marrying my potentials of mental argument, writing and speaking with my law profession.
It is not gainsaying that majority of young lawyers (ie within 1 year to 7 lawyer at the bar) are not paid reasonable salaries in which I was inclusive and are seen as lawyers of little law knowledge. I am not saying floating a law firm should be based on peanut being paid as salary because you will face higher responsibilities with huge sacrifice practising alone. When you become a principal, you will understand more – if you are not ready, stay under supervision for many years as you can or search for a law firm who will allow private practice for their junior lawyers. Really, floating a law firm as a young lawyer requires inner motivation to succeed, particularly getting clients when you are not to solicit for clients, but can do fair advertising.
Being a young lawyer is not a disadvantage, it requires critical thinking like a senior; work everyday like a senior; have a law library like a senior; increase your legal research; nurture your advocacy; have confidence and know what you want in this law profession. Simply, try to be different and stand out! Years at the bar has nothing to do with brillancy or superior, law knowledge. In believing this, I have pulled out some young lawyers from their principals to start practising on theirs and many of them are performing excellently while adjusting to the economic situation. However, major challenge is joint brief with a senior and the senior does all the talking in court without the junior lawyer’s imput in open court based on NBA’s ethic of seniority at the bar.
As a matter of referrence, within my period as a young lawyer, I offered pro bono services to selected individuals, companies and organisations; handled cases to a point of recommendation from clients, people and judicial officers; contributed to a law profession through legal orientation on media, law lectures in Lagos and Abuja; law column in a newspaper and out of my 6 awards bagged in Lagos, Abuja and Kaduna. 5 of it were during my young lawyer years by NBA classification of young lawyer from 1 to 7 years of being a lawyer. My unhappiness was my failure to publish my first law book and being a Notary Public at seven years at the bar owing to finance, introduction of Administration of Criminal Justice Act in 2015 while the Notary Public was due to procedural delay, human negligence, personal envy and choice. Based on my profile, some judicial officers appreciated my law contribution in legal writings, maximising my potentials for law and building a good profile. My tonic was that being a young law did not mean i had a young brain. You can win your senior, it is not new. Year at the bar is just a matter of number and not superior, legal knowledge. We all have access to law books, law reports and can consult a lawyer who has a wider legal knowledge on specific area of law. To my young lawyers, look beyond salary; build your profiles with your clients and know what you want in this profession so as to make a difference in this profession. Salary should still not be an excuse because you are more than whom you think you are!
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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