President Bola Tinubu has transmitted the Legal Practitioners Bill 2025 to the Senate, marking a significant effort to reform Nigeria’s legal profession after years of complaints about weak regulation, ethical breaches, and declining professional standards.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the bill on the Senate floor on Tuesday, explaining that the proposed legislation seeks to replace the outdated Legal Practitioners Act of 2004. The bill emphasizes public interest, strengthens the rule of law, and aims to restore confidence in legal services nationwide.
Key provisions of the bill include:
- Establishing integrity, confidentiality, and ethical conduct as central pillars of legal practice.
- Empowering the Legal Practitioner Disciplinary Committee to investigate and sanction erring lawyers, including suspension or removal from the roll.
- Mandatory two-year pupillage for new lawyers and compulsory continuous professional development.
- Standardized licensing procedures and the official use of stamps and seals to authenticate legal documents.
Legal experts and the Nigerian Bar Association have repeatedly highlighted that the current Act lacks effective enforcement mechanisms and does not adequately address modern legal realities, including digital practice, cross-border services, and higher ethical expectations.
The Senate has referred the bill to the Committee on Rules and Business for detailed review, with a report expected within four weeks. If passed, the Legal Practitioners Bill 2025 will align Nigeria’s legal sector with international standards and ensure more credible justice delivery across the country.
