Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, a former Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU) and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), delivered a thought-provoking lecture during the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch's Law Week. The lecture, titled "Public governance, Nigeria’s collective moral disengagement and the rule of law," was part of the commemoration of the late Mr. Alao Aka-Bashorun, a former National President of the NBA.

Fagbohun emphasized that Nigerians' aspirations for good governance might remain unfulfilled if they solely rely on adherence to the rule of law without concurrently fostering a robust movement for social change. He criticized the prevailing trend where Nigerian leaders often escape accountability for official misconduct, attributing this phenomenon to the populace's insufficient demand for societal transformation and adherence to ethical norms.

According to Fagbohun, public governance encompasses both formal and informal rules, procedures, and interactions that shape public authority and decision-making. He argued that despite Nigeria's theoretical adherence to democratic norms and legal frameworks on paper, there remains a significant gap between policy implementation and actual societal benefits. This discrepancy, he noted, perpetuates disillusionment with democratic governance and undermines public trust in institutions.

Highlighting the brazenness of public officials in their misconduct and the challenges in measuring policy outcomes due to unreliable data, Fagbohun called for a deeper commitment among Nigerians to emulate change agents such as Aka-Bashorun, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, and Beko Ransome-Kuti. These figures, he suggested, exemplified the proactive stance needed to foster genuine societal progress and uphold the rule of law.

Justice Abiola Soladoye, the event's chairperson, stressed the importance of discipline within the legal profession. She urged legal practitioners to uphold ethical standards rigorously, emphasizing the role of such lectures in promoting accountability and ethical conduct within the legal community.

In his remarks, Segun Aka-Bashorun expressed gratitude to the NBA for consistently honoring his father's legacy over the past four decades. Seyi Olawumi, Chairman of NBA Ikeja Branch, underscored the branch's commitment to celebrating eminent figures like Aka-Bashorun, recognizing their enduring contributions to legal jurisprudence and societal advancement.

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