Nigerian Bar Association Opposes UK-Nigeria Legal Agreement, Citing Colonial Reminders
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed strong opposition to the recent bilateral agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, which allows English lawyers to practice in Nigeria. The agreement, known as the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), aims to boost trade and investment between the two countries.
The NBA criticized the aspect of the agreement that commits Nigeria to allowing UK lawyers to practice in the country without hindrance. According to the NBA, this provision will disadvantage Nigerian lawyers and increase the import of legal services to Nigeria.
NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, described the agreement as a “tragic reminder of our colonial past” and questioned why the Nigerian government would make such a decision without consulting the NBA. Maikyau stated that the agreement would compromise Nigeria’s legal space and vowed to resist it through legal means.
Maikyau argued that Nigerian lawyers do not possess the skills to match their British counterparts, even if the UK were to reciprocate the gesture. He criticized the Nigerian government for undermining its legal professionals and contrasted this with the UK’s efforts to expand opportunities for its lawyers.
The agreement, signed by UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, and Nigerian Trade Minister, Doris Uzoka-Anite, has raised concerns among Nigerian lawyers about the impact on their livelihoods. The NBA has called on Nigerian lawyers to prepare for a struggle to protect their legal space.
The statement from the NBA also criticized Minister Uzoka-Anite for giving the impression that the agreement would bring more money to Nigeria. The NBA described her as “unpatriotic” for promoting an agreement that could undermine Nigerian lawyers.
Premium Times
