The Federal Government has reversed its previous stance on the legal implications of the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership signed with the United Kingdom on Tuesday, following public outcry and criticism from Nigerians.

In a statement issued by the Nigerian Minister for Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, on her official handle, she clarified that there was no legal agreement between Nigeria and the UK as earlier stated.

Uzoka-Anite emphasized, “Regrettably, our earlier report erroneously suggested that Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding that allows lawyers licensed in the United Kingdom to practise in Nigeria.”

She underscored that Nigeria does not have a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the UK, and there is no commitment under the MOU or elsewhere to permit UK-licensed lawyers to practice in Nigeria.

“As it currently stands, foreign licensed lawyers (including those licensed in the UK) cannot practice in Nigeria,” Uzoka-Anite reiterated, highlighting that the MOU explicitly states this restriction.

The minister acknowledged that the issue of cross-jurisdictional practice between Nigeria and the United Kingdom is still under discussion among stakeholders within the legal community in Nigeria, as reflected in the MOU.

The initial announcement regarding the agreement came from the UK’s Department of Business and Trade and a tweet from Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, indicating that Nigeria was entering a deal to facilitate UK lawyers practicing international law in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Bar Association condemned the purported agreement, denouncing the statement credited to the minister as “ridiculous, unpatriotic, and uninformed.”