The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a fair and equitable global legal ecosystem, declaring that Nigeria must never be a junior partner in its own legal space.
He made the statement while delivering his welcome address at the International Bar Association (IBA) Bar Issues Commission Committee on International Trade in Legal Services (BIC–ITILS) Cross-Border Conference held recently.
Mazi Osigwe emphasized Nigeria’s longstanding advocacy for equity, inclusion, and mutual respect in international legal collaboration.
As cross-border trade, investment, and commercial activities continue to expand, he said, the need for fairness and balance in legal practice across jurisdictions has become more pressing.
According to him, although globalisation offers immense opportunities for cooperation and professional exchange, it must not erode the relevance or authority of domestic practitioners.
“Globalisation should not lead to the erosion of local expertise or the subordination of national legal systems,” he stressed. “Rather, it should foster collaboration rooted in respect for local laws, institutions, and professionals.”
He insisted that international legal cooperation must be founded on reciprocity, shared learning, and professional respect — not hierarchy.
He urged foreign firms engaging in Nigeria to regard Nigerian lawyers as equals, noting that effective cross-border practice requires mutual trust and a collective commitment to ethical standards.
“Nigerian lawyers must never be treated as junior partners in their own jurisdiction,” he declared.
“We must be seen and engaged as major stakeholders, not minority participants, in any foreign collaboration conducted within our legal space.”
The NBA President also addressed ongoing developments within Nigeria’s regulatory environment, particularly the proposed reforms in the Legal Practitioners Bill (LPA) currently under consideration.
He explained that the Bill aims to modernise legal practice in Nigeria and proposes a carefully regulated framework for limited foreign lawyer participation.
He expressed confidence that the reforms, once enacted, would attract investment and expertise without undermining Nigerian practitioners.
He urged the Bar to stay vigilant to ensure these reforms are not exploited to sideline local professionals.
Mazi Osigwe also called for deeper cross-border engagement and knowledge exchange between Nigerian lawyers and their peers worldwide.
He underscored the importance of institutional partnerships, peer learning, and strengthening Nigeria’s presence in the global legal arena.
Renewing his call for Nigeria to host the IBA Annual Conference, he described it as a long-overdue recognition of the country’s status as one of the most vibrant and dynamic legal communities globally.
He noted that Nigeria recorded the largest national delegation at the recent IBA Conference in Canada, clear evidence of the nation’s capacity to host the global legal fraternity.
Concluding his remarks, he encouraged Nigerian lawyers to remain united, confident, and assertive on the world stage:
“The world of legal practice is becoming more interconnected. Yet, as we engage globally, we must remain confident in our abilities and protect the sovereignty of our profession.
Collaboration must never come at the expense of respect. Nigeria’s legal community must always stand tall, as partners, not subordinates, in the global arena.”
The IBA Bar Issues Commission Committee on International Trade in Legal Services provides a global platform for discussing regulatory frameworks, cross-border practice, and the evolving landscape of international legal services.
The Cross-Border Conference brings together leading practitioners, regulators, and bar leaders to deliberate on issues shaping the future of legal practice in an increasingly interconnected world..
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