BAYERO UNIVERSITY KANO
FACULTY OF LAW
COURSE CODE:
EEP 3201
COURSE TITLE:
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
GROUP:
6 (S/N 101-120)
INTERVIEW REPORT:
Navigating Economic Policies and Opportunities in Legal Practice — A Case Study of MD
Abubakar Law Firm
DATE:
25TH AUGUST, 2025
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Group Members - - - - - - - - 3
Group Picture - - - - - - - - 4
Introduction - - - - - - - - - 5
Overview of the Business - - - - - - - 5
Products and Services Offered - - - - - - 5
Market Outlets and Client Acquisition Strategies - - - - 6
Challenges Faced Due to Fuel Subsidy Removal and Cashless Policy - 6
A. Fuel Subsidy Removal - - - - - - - 6
B. Cashless Policy - - - - - - - - 6
Mitigation Strategies and Business Adaptation - - - - 7
Business Opportunities from Economic Policies - - - - 7
Recommendations to Policymakers - - - - - - 8
Sustaining the Law Firm Amidst Economic Challenges - - - 8
Advice to Young Lawyers and Law Students - - - - 8
Conclusion/Recommendations - - - - - - 9
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GROUP MEMBERS
S/N NAME REGISTRATION NO. SIGNATURE
101 Tijjani Hannatu Abdullahi LAW/20/LLB/00891
102 Turawa Abdullahi Abolaji LAW/20/LLB/00892
103 Umar Abbas Idris LAW/20/LLB/00893
104 Umar Jalilah Isah LAW/20/LLB/00894
105 Umar Zainab Abubakar LAW/20/LLB/00895
106 Usman Aliyu Ibrahim LAW/20/LLB/00896
107 Usman Ummusulaim Zage LAW/20/LLB/00897
108 Wali Maryam Sadiq LAW/20/LLB/00898
109 Yahya Abdurrazak Satatima LAW/20/LLB/00899
110 Yusuf Ibrahim Abdullahi LAW/20/LLB/00900
111 Yusuf Ibrahim Sheu LAW/20/LLB/00901
112 Yusuf Nazifi Sani LAW/20/LLB/00902
113 Hauwa Yunusa Imawa LAW/20/LLB/00904
114 Haruna Aisha Usman LAW/20/LLB/00905
115 Mubarak Muhammad Bello LAW/20/LLB/00906
116 Bako Rabi`a Rabiu LAW/20/LLB/00908
117 Abdulwahab Maryam Onikoko LAW/20/LLB/00909
118 Sani Mudassir Bello LAW/20/LLB/00910
119 Maimunah Munkaila Salisu LAW/21/LLB/01021
120 Fuad Adewale Folami LAW/21/LLB/01022
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GROUP PICTURE
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Introduction
As part of the course requirements under the Entrepreneurship Education Programme
(EEP), students were tasked with conducting field interviews with professionals in sectors relevant
to their respective faculties. This was in view of recent national economic reforms, such as the
removal of electricity and petroleum subsidies, the implementation of cashless and Naira redesign
policies, and the reopening of land borders, all of which have had varying effects on businesses in
Nigeria.
In line with this directive, our group, drawn from the Faculty of Law, visited MD
Abubakar Law Firm, a private legal practice located in Hadid Plaza, Gwarzo Road, Opp.
Mahalli U-turn, Rijiyar Zaki, Kano State, to understand how the firm has been impacted by
these economic policies and how it has leveraged opportunities arising from them.
The principal partner of the firm, Barrister Muhammad Danjuma Abubakar (can be
contacted through 08063092509), was gracious enough to grant us an extensive interview,
sharing insights on how his law firm is navigating the current economic climate, the challenges
faced, mitigation strategies, and the evolving legal landscape in Nigeria.
1. Overview of the Business
The firm, MD Abubakar Law Firm, was officially established on January 2, 2024, and
has been operational for over a year. The firm currently comprises four lawyers and one litigation
secretary. The principal partner, Barr. Muhammad Danjuma Abubakar, is a graduate of Bayero
University, Kano, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2016. With over nine years of post-call
experience, he founded the firm with a focus on offering versatile legal services to a wide range of
clients.
2. Products and Services Offered
The firm provides a broad spectrum of legal services. According to the principal partner,
the firm does not discriminate in the type of briefs it handles. Services range across civil and
criminal litigation, corporate law, property law, taxation, and election matters, among others. The
clientele includes individuals, private companies, and governmental agencies.
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3. Market Outlets and Client Acquisition Strategies
Due to restrictions on legal advertising as outlined by the Rules of Professional Conduct
for Legal Practitioners in Nigeria, the firm relies on digital platforms and referrals for visibility.
The firm maintains a professional website: [Link], which enables
potential clients to discover and contact them via search engines.
They also receive client referrals from court personnel, colleagues, and satisfied former
clients.
Referrals from court registrars are particularly impactful, especially when the firm is
known for competence and professionalism.
4. Challenges Faced Due to Fuel Subsidy Removal and Cashless Policy
Though the firm was founded after the implementation of the cashless policy and subsidy
removal, it still grapples with the broader economic consequences. These include:
A. Fuel Subsidy Removal
High transportation costs: Clients living outside the Kano metropolis often find it difficult
to afford transportation to attend court hearings, especially when cases are assigned to courts in
remote areas.
Abandoned Cases: Clients frequently abandon litigation—particularly fundamental rights
enforcement cases—after realizing the cost burden, leading to eventual striking out of such cases
due to non-attendance.
Increased operational costs: The firm has had to adjust appearance fees and service charges
upward to cover rising overhead costs.
B. Cashless Policy
Client affordability issues: Many clients struggle to pay for legal services due to the high cost of
living and financial constraints caused by the cashless economy.
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Positive Outcome: The firm adjusted its fee structure in line with economic trends, which, in some
cases, resulted in increased revenue.
5. Mitigation Strategies and Business Adaptation
To navigate the challenges presented by the current economic climate, MD Abubakar Law Firm
has adopted several innovative approaches:
Digitally Driven Operations: Most client engagements are handled virtually via platforms such
as Google Meet and Zoom. Some clients have never met the lawyers in person.
E-filing Systems: In jurisdictions like Lagos, cases are filed electronically, eliminating the need
for physical presence and reducing operational costs.
Collaborative Networks: For filings or proceedings in distant locations, the firm partners with
colleagues within those regions to act on their behalf, thus avoiding unnecessary travel.
Virtual Hearings: The firm leverages evolving courtroom technology. For instance, some judges
now conduct virtual rulings, which has become a valuable practice in urgent or high-profile
matters.
Flexible Case Management: The firm encourages local litigation in Magistrate Courts to reduce
travel-related costs for clients.
6. Business Opportunities from Economic Policies
Despite the challenges, the changing economic policies have created new business opportunities
for the firm:
Increased demand in Property Law: Due to logistical challenges, clients now prefer to delegate
property-related transactions (sales, leases, disputes) to lawyers, creating more work and revenue
streams.
Election-Related Legal Services: Election seasons bring in a surge of time-bound, high-value
briefs related to electoral disputes and pre/post-election matters, which are especially profitable.
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Digital Legal Services: There is growing acceptance of virtual consultations and legal services,
allowing the firm to scale beyond physical limitations.
7. Recommendations to Policymakers
Barr. Abubakar offered the following recommendations to government and relevant authorities:
Establish a Functional Public Transportation System: A reliable, affordable, and structured
transport system would significantly reduce travel costs for individuals and professionals alike.
Promote Transport Insurance Schemes: Creating a contributory or tax-backed insurance pool
for transport services can help maintain affordability and access during economic fluctuations.
8. Sustaining the Law Firm Amidst Economic Challenges
The firm’s resilience lies in its adaptability and embrace of technology. The principal partner
emphasized:
❖ The importance of virtual operations to cut costs.
❖ Continuous adjustment of service fees in line with inflation.
❖ Investments in networking and collaboration, which allow for broader service delivery
without escalating costs.
9. Advice to Young Lawyers and Law Students
In conclusion, Barr. Abubakar offered valuable advice to aspiring lawyers:
Adopt technology: Embrace digital tools for legal drafting, communication, and case
management.
Charge for your services: Avoid giving free legal advice unless it is explicitly pro bono.
Be bold and confident: Professional success requires confidence and self-assurance.
Apply online: Submit job or internship applications via email rather than hard copies, due to the
tight schedules of law firms.
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Conclusion/Recommendations
This interview has provided rich insights into how the legal profession, particularly small and
medium law firms, is adapting to Nigeria’s evolving economic policies. While challenges such as
rising transportation costs and client affordability persist, MD Abubakar Law Firm has
demonstrated that innovation, strategic pricing, and digital transformation can position legal
practitioners for success even in tough economic climates. The interview highlighted the need for
government intervention in public infrastructure and the critical role of technology in sustaining
modern legal practices.
Furthermore, it is clear that economic policies such as the cashless policy and fuel subsidy removal
have had a significant impact on legal practice, particularly in terms of client affordability and the
rising costs of service delivery. While law firms like MD Abubakar Law Firm have been able to
sustain operations through digital innovations, networking, and strategic cost adjustments, the
broader challenges remain evident.
Recommendations include:
1. Development of an Effective Transport System: Government should prioritize creating a
sustainable, affordable, and efficient public transport system. This would ease mobility for both
clients and lawyers, especially when cases are assigned to courts outside the city.
2. Policy-backed Support Mechanisms: Policymakers should consider models such as insurance
or tax-supported systems that can subsidize essential services, including transportation, thereby
reducing the financial burden on citizens and businesses.
3. Promotion of Digital Infrastructure in the Judiciary: Expansion of e-filing systems, virtual
hearings, and other technological innovations across Nigerian courts will significantly cut costs
for both lawyers and clients while enhancing access to justice.
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4. Encouraging Flexibility in Court Assignments: Judges should continue to exercise discretion
in retaining cases locally for indigent clients to reduce the financial strain of litigating in distant
courts.
Overall, sustaining law practice in the present economic climate requires a blend of government
intervention in public systems and innovation by legal practitioners, particularly through the
adoption of digital tools and cost-saving strategies.
We appreciate the time and knowledge shared by Barr. Muhammad Danjuma Abubakar, and we
believe the insights gathered will be invaluable for our academic and professional development.
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