Tinubu Proposes Comprehensive Overhaul of Nigeria’s Legal Framework

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated a significant transformation of Nigeria’s legal profession by submitting the Legal Practitioners Bill 2025 to the Senate. This proposed legislation aims to extensively reform the regulation, ethics, licensing, and disciplinary protocols governing legal practice in the country. In his communication to the Senate, Tinubu emphasized the need for a modern framework to address the growing complexities of legal practice both locally and internationally.

Revamping Legal Oversight

The draft bill, presented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, seeks to repeal the existing Legal Practitioners Act, which has been in place since 1962 and is codified under Cap L11 of the Laws of the Federation 2004. President Tinubu noted that the current framework is outdated and does not adequately meet the evolving demands of the legal profession. He stated that the proposed legislation aims to “introduce a modern legal framework to strengthen the regulation of the legal profession in Nigeria.”

In his letter, Tinubu outlined several key objectives of the bill, which include enhancing professional standards, improving disciplinary mechanisms, and restoring public confidence in legal services. He pointed out that the challenges facing the profession, such as licensing and enforcement of ethical conduct, necessitate a comprehensive legislative overhaul to ensure accountability.

Key Provisions of the Bill

The Legal Practitioners Bill 2025 introduces some of the most significant regulatory changes to the legal profession in over sixty years. Among the notable provisions are:

• Section 1: Establishes clear objectives prioritizing public interest and access to justice.
• Section 2: Codifies essential ethical principles, including integrity and confidentiality.
• Section 3: Creates a new statutory body responsible for admitting qualified individuals into the legal profession.
• Section 17: Establishes a strengthened Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee with expanded powers to adjudicate misconduct cases.
• Section 18: Introduces a range of sanctions for misconduct, including suspension and removal from the legal roll.
• Sections 25–26: Mandates a two-year Post-Professional Legal Internship and compulsory Continuing Professional Development for all legal practitioners.
• Sections 27–29: Requires mandatory inspection and accreditation of law offices and the issuance of practicing licenses.

President Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite consideration of the bill, highlighting that the demands for legal services both domestically and internationally require stronger institutional safeguards and uniform professional standards. Following its first reading, the Senate has tasked its Committee on Rules and Business with initiating the legislative process for further examination of the bill.

In a separate announcement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu extended an invitation to all senators for a dinner at the Aso Villa on Friday, which Akpabio characterized as a gesture of maternal outreach.