Nigeria Must Never Be a Junior Partner in Its Own Legal Space – Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a fair and balanced global legal ecosystem, declaring that Nigeria must never be a junior partner in its own legal space. He made this statement while delivering the 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.
In his remarks, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, underscored Nigeria’s longstanding advocacy for equity, inclusion, and mutual respect in international legal collaboration. He noted that as cross-border trade, investment, and commercial activity continue to expand globally, there is a growing need for fairness and balance in the practice of law across jurisdictions.
According to him, while globalisation presents valuable opportunities for international cooperation and professional exchange, it must not diminish the relevance or authority of domestic legal practitioners in their own jurisdictions. “Globalisation should not lead to the erosion of local expertise or the subordination of national legal systems,” he stated. “Rather, it should promote collaboration rooted in respect for local laws, institutions, and professionals.”
The NBA President emphasized that the spirit of international collaboration must be grounded in reciprocity and shared learning, not hierarchy. He urged foreign law firms and practitioners to view Nigerian lawyers as equals, stressing that effective cross-border practice requires mutual trust, professional respect, and a collective commitment to upholding ethical and professional 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 used the opportunity to speak on ongoing developments within Nigeria’s domestic regulatory environment, particularly the proposed reforms contained in the Legal Practitioners Bill (LPA) currently under consideration. He explained that the Bill seeks to modernise legal practice in Nigeria and contemplates a limited participation of foreign lawyers under strict and regulated conditions.
He expressed optimism that when enacted, these provisions would be implemented responsibly to attract investment and expertise while protecting the professional interests of Nigerian lawyers. “We must ensure that such reforms are not exploited in ways that sideline or undermine local practitioners,” he said, urging the Bar to remain vigilant in defending the integrity of the Nigerian legal profession.
Mazi Afam Osigwe further called for deeper cross-border engagement and knowledge exchange between Nigerian lawyers and their counterparts around the world. He highlighted the importance of fostering peer learning, building institutional partnerships, and enhancing Nigeria’s visibility within the global legal community.
He also used the occasion to renew his call for Nigeria to host the IBA Annual Conference, describing it as a long-overdue recognition of Nigeria’s status as one of the most active and dynamic legal communities in the world. “Our outstanding representation at the recent IBA Conference in Canada, where Nigeria recorded the largest national delegation, is proof that we are ready and capable of welcoming the global legal community to our shores,” he said.
The NBA President concluded his remarks with a call to unity and confidence among Nigerian lawyers:
“The world of legal practice is becoming more interconnected. Yet, as we engage globally, we must remain confident in our abilities and assertive in protecting 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 (BIC) Committee on International Trade in Legal Services is a platform for addressing regulatory frameworks, cross-border practice, and the future of global legal services. The Cross-Border Conference convenes leading practitioners, regulators, and bar leaders from around the world to deliberate on issues shaping the practice of law in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
