In response to growing concerns from members of the legal profession—especially young lawyers—regarding the cost and accessibility of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) trainings,
the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has taken proactive steps to make legal education more inclusive, affordable, and beneficial for all.
After a consultative meeting with the Director of the NBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) and the leadership of the Young Lawyers Forum (YLF), the NBA President issued a clear directive reaffirming the association’s dedication to equitable access to Continuing Legal Education.
According to Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the objective of the ICLE system is to support professional development and competence among lawyers—not to impose financial hardship.
“The ICLE system is intended to enhance the development and competence of lawyers, and not cause untold hardship,” he stated.
Key directives and clarifications issued include:
- No lawyer shall be compelled to attend any particular CPD training. Lawyers are free to choose from any accredited programme to satisfy their CPD requirements.
- Payments for CPD trainings go directly to service providers, not the NBA. The NBA’s role is to publicize and promote accredited training opportunities.
- Lawyers can meet their five (5) CPD hours per year by attending free seminars or trainings conducted by accredited institutions, NBA branches, or the NBA-ICLE itself.
- The NBA-ICLE Board is mandated to immediately review and vet course fees to ensure affordability and transparency for all lawyers.
- Free CPD trainings will be made available on an ongoing basis across the country, ensuring broad access for lawyers regardless of location or financial situation.
- Trainings organized by NBA branches and accredited at branch level will count toward CPD hours, thereby empowering branches to support local capacity-building.
- Faculties of Law, training institutes, and other academic institutions are encouraged to seek accreditation for their relevant courses, enabling lawyers enrolled in such programmes to earn CPD credits.
These directives underscore the NBA’s commitment to fairness, intellectual empowerment, and professional growth for all lawyers.
“We will continue to engage stakeholders to ensure that the Continuing Legal Education framework is affordable, responsive, inclusive, and empowering for all members of the legal profession,” the President emphasized.
The announcement has been widely welcomed by the legal community, particularly among young and aspiring lawyers who have long advocated for greater access to high-quality, low-cost professional development opportunities.
Under the forward-thinking leadership of Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA continues to work towards a more inclusive and supportive environment for legal practice in Nigeria.
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN
President, Nigerian Bar Association
Find attached:
NBA President Affirms Commitment to Affordable and Accessible CPD Trainings for Lawyers
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