President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transmitted a bill to the Senate proposing far-reaching reforms to regulate the legal profession in Nigeria more strictly.
The bill, titled Legal Practitioners Bill 2025, was read on the Senate floor during plenary by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the Legal Practitioners Act, Cap L11, Laws of the Federation 2004, originally enacted in 1962.
According to President Tinubu, “The proposed legislation introduces a modern legal framework to strengthen the regulation of the legal profession in Nigeria and to provide the necessary reforms that will enhance professional standards, disciplinary mechanisms, and public confidence in legal practice”.
The President explained in his letter that increasing challenges involving the regulation of professional conduct, licensing of practitioners, and appropriate disciplinary systems have made a comprehensive legislative review imperative.
He said: “This bill provides for greater accountability, stronger professional ethics, and a more transparent regulatory structure—critical reforms in view of the growing domestic and international demand for legal services in Nigeria.
“Key provisions of the bill include: Section 1: Outlines the objectives of the Act, including promoting and protecting the public interest, strengthening the rule of law, improving access to justice, and increasing public understanding of legal rights and duties.
“Section 2: Establishes the core principles guiding legal practitioners, including integrity, confidentiality, and high ethical standards.
“Section 3: Establishes the body responsible for admitting qualified persons into the legal profession.
“Section 17: Establishes the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, empowered to consider and determine cases of professional misconduct.
“Section 18: Provides a range of penalties for misconduct, including suspension, restriction, reprimand, and removal from the roll.
“Sections 25–26: Introduce a mandatory two-year Post-Professional Legal Internship (PPLI) and compulsory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for all legal practitioners.
“Sections 27–29: Provide for the inspection and accreditation of law offices, issuance of practising licences, and adoption of official practice seals and stamps”.
President Tinubu asked the Senate to give the bill swift consideration and passage. Consequently, the Senate mandated its Committee on Rules and Business to begin the legislative process on the proposal.
Meanwhile, in a separate letter also read during plenary, the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, invited all senators to a dinner at the Aso Villa on Friday.
