The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has shortlisted 89 candidates for the final stage of the 2026 Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) conferment exercise.
In a press release issued on Tuesday and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Akanbi, the committee said the shortlisted applicants successfully passed the various stages of the rigorous screening process leading to the award of the prestigious rank.
According to the LPPC, the candidates scaled the Advocates’ First and Second Filtration Stages, Academic Pre-qualification and Second Filtration Exercise, and Independent Appeals Hearing, as well as the Law Office Inspection Exercise.
The committee also disclosed that 77 candidates were shortlisted under the Advocates Category, while 12 others emerged under the Academic Category.
Among the leading candidates in the Advocates Category are former NBA spokesperson Habeeb Akorede Lawal, Former NBA Lagos Chairman, Alex Mouka, and the Vice President, Legal, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Aisha Ado Abdullahi.
The list also includes Adetunji Adedoyin-Adeniyi, Adebayo Olanrewaju Omole, Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja, Soibi Ideriah Ovia, Olawale Fapohunda, and Olugbenga Ajala.
The Academic Category comprises the DG of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS, Ibrahim Abikan Abdulqadir; a former Dean of the Law Faculty, Redeemers University, Prof. Omoniyi Bukola Akinola; and 10 others.
The LPPC stated that the publication of the shortlist precedes the final interview stage of the conferment process.
The committee also invited members of the public to submit comments on the integrity, reputation, and competence of the shortlisted applicants.
It directed that any complaint against a candidate must be supported by a verifying affidavit sworn before a Superior Court of Record in Nigeria or before a Notary Public. Such petitions, accompanied by 20 copies, must reach the office of the LPPC Secretary not later than 4:00 p.m. on July 15, 2026, or be sent electronically to [email protected].
The LPPC, however, emphasised that the publication of the names of shortlisted applicants does not amount to a successful application, noting that candidates must still undergo the final interview before the successful recipients of the SAN rank are announced.
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is the highest distinction conferred on legal practitioners in Nigeria and is awarded annually to lawyers and academics who have distinguished themselves in legal practice, scholarship, and contributions to the development of the legal profession.
