Don’t fear foreign lawyers’ practice in Nigeria, NBA urged

Legal experts have urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) not to be afraid of allowing foreign lawyers to practise in Nigeria.

They believe cross-border alliances will rather create more opportunities for lawyers.

They made the call during the plenary sessions of the Lagos Branch of the NBA law week in Lagos.

The theme was: “Charting new legal frontiers: Practice of law in Nigeria, cross-border alliances and partnerships.”

The keynote speaker, who is the Global Senior Partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Britain, Segun Osuntokun, said foreign lawyers can be allowed to practise in limited areas rather than all aspects of Nigerian law.

He believes that the Nigerian legal system should take advantage of the opportunities such alliances could bring.

He said: “The Nigerian legal profession and its regulators should open up to ideas as to how it can facilitate meaningful and reasonable interaction with foreign law firms, who want to practise or want to have a base in Nigeria.

“You can have alliances; you can have a co-branding with international law firms.

“I will urge the NBA to look at models in India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which in the last year have taken steps to open up their legal services to foreign law firms.”

Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), noted that globalisation has transformed the practice of law, broadened the horizons and compelled integration of international legal standards.

He said: “Cases and transactions often span multiple jurisdictions, demanding a comprehensive understanding of both local and international laws.

“How can we, as Nigerian lawyers, thrive in this interconnected world?
The answer lies in our ability to adapt, learn, and innovate.

“In this rapidly changing landscape, the importance of forming cross-border alliances and partnerships cannot be overstated.

“These collaborations open doors to knowledge exchange, enhance our competitiveness and grant us access to new markets and clients.

“They are the bridges that connect us to a global network of legal expertise and opportunities. Yet, we must also acknowledge the challenges.”

Pedro explained that cultural differences, regulatory hurdles, and the integration of technology across borders present significant obstacles.

He, however, noted that within these challenges lie opportunities for growth and innovation.

NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Olabisi Makanjuola, urged Nigerian lawyers to enhance their capacity to compete globally.

He said the focus should be on how to be globally relevant in an era where the legal profession has become very dynamic.

“I am confident that the Lagos Law Week will not only inspire but also empower us all to reach new heights of excellence in our respective fields,” he said.

One of the panellists during the plenary sessions, Mrs Boma Alabi (SAN), thinks Nigerian law firms are as good as their counterparts elsewhere.

“A Nigerian company would prefer a non-Nigerian law firm that is equally competent, and I find it really strange. For me, it’s a colonial mentality,” she said.

Pioneer chairman of the NBA Section on Business Law, George Etomi, urged Nigerian lawyers not to lose sight of the opportunities before them.

He said lawyers, for instance, should know the value of digital market services in Nigeria.

“We should know the monetary value to know why it is so attractive to foreign firms and we are wondering what they see that we are not seeing,” Etomi said.

Law Week Planning Committee Chairperson, Mrs Folasade Alli (SAN), said the theme reflects a collective ambition to forge new paths in the practice of law.

“We are navigating an era where global partnerships and cross-border collaborations are not just beneficial; they are imperative for success and sustainability.

“As we explore these frontiers, we aim to adapt and thrive in a landscape marked by rapid changes and increased connectivity,” she said.

NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), represented by General Secretary, Adesina Adegbite, noted that globalisation has caused an unprecedented shift in the practice of law.

“Like every other business, technological advancements have led to increased cross-border trades which have impacted and will continue to have a tremendous effect on our practice space.

“There is no gainsaying that the face of legal practice in Nigeria and across the world is fast changing owing to technological disruptions.

“While this comes with significant challenges, the survival of businesses, including legal practice, depends on our ability to innovate — leverage technology to embrace these modern trends, improve operational efficiency and turn the challenges into opportunities for learning and growth,” Maikyau declared.