Safe Haven Foundation is pleased to share that its Founder and Trustee, Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, PhD, is featured in No Straight Line: 100 Lawyers, 100 Different Journeys, a flagship publication of the Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers Forum Continuing Legal Education Committee.
Published under the leadership of the 2024–2026 NBA Young Lawyers Forum Governing Council, the magazine documents the professional journeys of 100 Nigerian lawyers working across legal practice, academia, the judiciary, public service, corporate leadership, human rights advocacy and social entrepreneurship.
The publication was conceived as a practical guide for young lawyers navigating an increasingly diverse profession. Through personal reflections from the featured lawyers, it explores the choices, challenges, opportunities, mentors and values that shaped their careers. Its central message is clear: there is no single or straight path to building a meaningful legal career.
Professor Waziri-Azi’s profile appears on page 31 of the magazine. It traces her journey from her early work at the Human Rights Law Service in Lagos to a career spanning academia, public service, justice sector reform, anti-trafficking leadership, human rights advocacy and survivor protection.
Reflecting on the formative years of her career, she explains that her experience providing legal services to vulnerable people changed her understanding of the law:
“I realized that the law is far more than a profession. It is a powerful tool for protecting rights, restoring dignity, and driving social change.”
That conviction has remained central to her professional life. Over more than two decades, Professor Waziri-Azi has worked to advance the rule of law, gender equality, institutional accountability and the protection of vulnerable populations. She currently serves as a Professor of Public Law at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and previously served as Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.
Speaking about her leadership of NAPTIP, she reflects on one of the most important lessons from her tenure: strong legislation is necessary, but laws alone cannot guarantee justice. Weak institutions, inadequate resources, stigma and poor coordination can prevent survivors from receiving the protection and support promised by the law.
She states:
“Justice is not measured by what the law promises on paper, but by whether people feel protected, heard, and able to rebuild their lives.”
This principle is deeply connected to the work of Safe Haven Foundation. Established by Professor Waziri-Azi in 2016, SHF provides shelter, legal assistance, psychosocial support and referrals to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. The Foundation also promotes prevention, research, policy reform, institutional safeguarding and stronger survivor-centred systems.
The profile offers valuable guidance to young lawyers who aspire to influence public policy and lead public institutions. Professor Waziri-Azi emphasises that leadership begins long before a formal appointment. It is developed through service, continuous learning, difficult assignments, problem-solving, strong relationships, competence and integrity.
She also encourages lawyers interested in public policy to develop skills beyond technical legal knowledge. An understanding of government, persuasive communication, stakeholder engagement, emotional intelligence and intellectual curiosity are increasingly important for lawyers seeking to shape institutions and public policy.
We congratulate Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi on her inclusion in this important publication and commend the NBA Young Lawyers Forum Continuing Legal Education Committee for documenting the diverse journeys shaping Nigeria’s legal profession.
The full profile is available on page 31 of No Straight Line: 100 Lawyers, 100 Different Journeys.
