The Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF), Kano Branch, held a transformative workshop on Saturday, 1st November 2025, at the NBA Secretariat, Guda Abdullahi Road, Farm Centre, Kano, themed “Breaking Barriers and Building Resilience: Strategies for Women Lawyers in Nigeria – with a focus on the Kano State jurisdiction.”
The event convened a distinguished assembly of female legal professionals — from senior lawyers to emerging practitioners, to examine strategies for overcoming gender-based challenges and strengthening leadership capacity within the legal profession.
Delivering her address, Aisha Ado Abdullahi, Lead Counsel at Green Edge Attorneys, Arbitrator, Mediator, and Bar Leader, delivered a powerful and thought-provoking presentation that resonated deeply with participants.
She reflected on the realities of women lawyers in Nigeria, especially in the Northern region, noting that the barriers confronting them are often structural, cultural, and internal.
“Being a female lawyer in Nigeria, and particularly in the North, comes with its own peculiar challenges,” she observed. “Some barriers are structural, others are cultural, and many are internal, rooted in how we see ourselves.”
Aisha addressed the persistent issues of gender bias, limited visibility, and constrained mentorship opportunities while acknowledging the quiet determination of women who continue to redefine excellence in law.
“Resilience is not about being unshaken,” she emphasized. “It is about being bent but not broken.”
Drawing from her professional journey, she shared that resilience is cultivated through consistency, competence, and confidence, encouraging women lawyers to assert themselves and lead with purpose.
She outlined five strategic pathways for women lawyers to build resilience and leadership capacity:
- Own Your Space
Walk into every courtroom and negotiation with confidence and conviction. - Develop Depth
Master your craft and let your expertise command respect. Continue to evolve through lifelong learning in emerging areas of law. - Build a Support System
Foster networks that uplift rather than compete. Mentor, collaborate, and share opportunities. - Balance with Grace
Embrace the multiple roles women play while extending compassion to yourself. Excellence thrives in balance, not perfection. - Stay Visible and Vocal
Participate actively in Bar activities, committees, and leadership roles. Visibility drives influence.
“Breaking barriers isn’t always dramatic,” she remarked. “Sometimes, it is simply saying yes when others expect you to say no.” Aisha concluded by reaffirming that every woman who advances within the legal profession helps to pave the way for others to follow. “We are not just breaking barriers for ourselves,” she noted. “We are building bridges for those coming after us.”
In her final charge, she urged women to pursue their aspirations with courage, discipline, and compassion, reminding them that true leadership is both visionary and empathetic. “Be bold enough to dream beyond limitations, disciplined enough to work for those dreams, and compassionate enough to lift others along the way,” she said. Her address served as a resounding reminder that resilient and forward-thinking women are reshaping the future of Nigeria’s legal profession one defined by equity, integrity, and enduring excellence.
For more information about Green Edge Attorneys, visit: www.greenedgeattorneys.com
#NBAWomenForum #AishaAdoAbdullahi #GreenEdgeAttorneys #WomenInLaw #LegalLeadership #BreakingBarriers #BuildingResilience #KanoBar #GenderEquality #EmpowerHer #WomenProfessionals #NigeriaLaw
