Why UK lawyers can’t practice in Nigeria – FG

The Federal Government has reversed its stance on allowing United Kingdom (UK) lawyers to practice in Nigeria, following an earlier announcement.

Nigerian Minister for Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, clarified in a statement that UK-trained lawyers can’t practice in Nigeria, despite an Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership signed with the UK. This clarification came after criticism from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

In a series of posts on her social media account, Uzoka-Anite stated, “Earlier today, Nigeria signed a far-reaching MoU with the United Kingdom for Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership. Regrettably, our earlier report erroneously suggests that Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding that allows lawyers licensed in the United Kingdom to practice in Nigeria. We wish to state emphatically that there is no such provision or agreement in the MoU.”

She further explained that Nigeria lacks a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the UK and hasn’t committed to allowing UK-licensed lawyers to practice in Nigeria under the MoU or elsewhere.

“As it currently stands, foreign licensed lawyers (including those licensed in the UK) cannot practice in Nigeria, as categorically stated in the MoU. We recognize that cross-jurisdictional practice between Nigeria and the United Kingdom is still an ongoing conversation amongst relevant stakeholders within the legal practitioners community in Nigeria, and this was reflected in the MoU,” she added.

NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, had previously condemned the purported agreement, labeling the Minister’s statement as “ridiculous, unpatriotic, and uninformed.”