Abuja – The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill proposing sweeping reforms to the Legal Practitioners Act, 2004, including a mandatory two-year pupillage for lawyers newly called to the Nigerian Bar.
The bill, sponsored by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, is part of an effort to modernise Nigeria’s legal framework and align it with global standards in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, and Kenya.
Speaking during plenary, Bamidele described the current Legal Practitioners Act as “almost six decades old in context and structure,” adding that advances in technology, digital court processes, and cross-border legal transactions demanded a new regulatory approach.
“The nature of legal practice today has drastically evolved. Accordingly, our regulatory framework must evolve to meet these new realities,” he said.
The proposed legislation also seeks to empower the Body of Benchers as the apex regulatory body, giving it legal personality, financial autonomy, and clearer rule-making powers. A restructured Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee will oversee professional misconduct across multiple panels nationwide, with sanctions ranging from suspension to restitution and mandatory publication of disciplinary decisions.
Another innovation is the creation of an Ethics, Adherence and Enforcement Committee, tasked with inspecting law offices, investigating complaints, enforcing compliance, and prosecuting cases before the disciplinary panels.
The two-year pupillage programme will ensure young lawyers gain practical experience and mentorship before practicing independently. The bill also introduces mandatory continuing professional development for practising licence renewal and criminalises unauthorised legal practice.
Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Chief Whip of the Senate, said the reforms were long overdue. “This bill is apt and germane. We are in a digital age, and our legal profession must reflect these realities,” he said.
The Senate has directed the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to organise a public hearing and report back within two weeks.
