The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has adopted the report of the President of the Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, detailing the NBA’s extensive engagements with the National Assembly on the proposed amendment of the Legal Practitioners Act (LPA), reaffirming the Association’s commitment to strengthening professional regulation, ethical accountability, and the institutional autonomy of the Bar.
At its meeting held on Thursday, 5 February 2026, in Maiduguri, Borno State, NEC deliberated on the President’s report, which outlined the NBA’s active participation in the legislative process, including formal representations and submissions made at the public hearing convened by the National Assembly on the Legal Practitioners Act Amendment Bill. NEC noted that the Association’s engagement was driven by the need to modernise the regulatory framework governing legal practice in Nigeria and align it with contemporary realities and global best practices.
In adopting the report, NEC took note of the clarification made by the NBA before the National Assembly that the proposed amendments do not seek to undermine the independence of the Nigerian Bar Association or transfer its regulatory powers to any external body. Rather, the Council noted that the Bill, as presented and supported by the NBA, is aimed at strengthening the Association’s statutory role, enhancing ethical enforcement, improving professional discipline, and deepening public confidence in the legal profession.
NEC further observed, and particularly welcomed, the inclusion in the proposed amendments of novel provisions addressing the remuneration and economic welfare of young lawyers, a matter which has become a growing concern within the profession. The Council applauded this novel provisions having been highlighted by the NBA Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) during the presentation of its report to NEC, wherein the YLF Secretary, Mr. Etaba Agbor, specifically drew attention to the importance of embedding statutory safeguards on the remuneration of young lawyers as a means of curbing exploitative practices and promoting professional growth. NEC agreed that the proposed provisions, which seek to promote fair compensation and minimum professional standards in the engagement of young legal practitioners, represent an important step towards fostering growth, stability, and long-term sustainability within the profession. The Council further affirmed that addressing the welfare of young lawyers is critical to safeguarding professional dignity, ethical independence, and the future of legal practice in Nigeria.
NEC also noted with approval that the proposed amendments reinforce the NBA’s role in professional regulation by, among other things, expanding the Association’s representation on the Body of Benchers, clarifying its involvement in disciplinary processes, and strengthening mechanisms for the investigation and prosecution of professional misconduct. The Council observed that these provisions reflect long-standing NBA positions and outcomes of broad consultations within the profession. The Council further acknowledged the President’s report that the amendment process was the product of collaborative engagement involving the NBA, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Body of Benchers, and other critical stakeholders, for the first time in the history of the profession.
The NBA’s position was drawn from prior reform efforts including the recommendations of the Tony Idigbe, SAN Committee, resolutions of the National Executive Council, positions adopted by the NBA at previous Annual General Conferences, and inputs generated from town hall meetings held across different parts of the country. NEC emphasised that such inclusive engagement is essential to producing legislation that commands legitimacy and professional buy-in.
In adopting the report, NEC reaffirmed the NBA’s readiness to continue constructive engagement with the National Assembly to address concerns raised by members of the profession, ensure clarity in the final version of the Bill, and safeguard the core principles of professional self-governance, ethical discipline, and access to justice. The resolution underscores the Nigerian Bar Association’s commitment to law reform, institutional strengthening, and the promotion of a modern, accountable, and independent legal profession, while supporting legislative efforts that enhance public trust in legal practitioners and the administration of justice.
