New Dawn at NBA: Thousands join Nigeria’s legal fraternity amid challenges, opportunities
Group photograph of Nigerian law students called to bar. Photo Credit- Kashgain
The Nigerian Bar Association– NBA and the Body of Benchers made history as 5,728 law graduates were called to the Nigerian Bar in a vibrant three-day ceremony in Abuja, marking one of the largest cohorts of new lawyers in the nation’s history. Under the leadership of NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, and the Nigerian Law School’s Director-General, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, this milestone celebrated the culmination of rigorous training and the dawn of a new era for Nigeria’s legal profession. For these fresh barristers, the Call to Bar is both a triumph and a gateway to a profession filled with challenges and opportunities. This piece explores the journey of Nigeria’s newest lawyers, the obstacles they face, and the pathways shaping the next generation of barristers in a nation grappling with legal, social, and economic complexities.
The historic call to bar and a surge of new talent
The July 2025 Call to Bar ceremony, held from July 8 to 10, was a spectacle of hope and ambition. The Body of Benchers, chaired by Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, welcomed thousands of graduates from the Nigerian Law School’s campuses in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Yola, Yenagoa, and Port Harcourt. These new wigs, as they’re fondly called, passed the grueling Bar Part II Final Examinations, a mandatory hurdle to practice as barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The sheer number reflects a growing interest in law, driven by Nigeria’s youthful population and the profession’s perceived prestige.
The ceremony was more than a formality; it was a call to action. Justice Ariwoola urged the new lawyers to adhere to the NBA’s Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Rules 2025, emphasizing ethical practice and lifelong learning. Yet, as these new barristers step into the profession, they face a landscape marked by systemic challenges, fierce competition, and evolving opportunities.
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The Challenges: A crowded and complex arena
For Nigeria’s next generation of barristers, the path is not paved with ease. The legal profession, governed by the Nigerian Legal Practitioners Act, is highly competitive, with over 105,406 active lawyers across 129 NBA branches. The influx of nearly 6,000 new lawyers in 2025 intensifies this competition, particularly in urban hubs like Lagos and Abuja, where opportunities are concentrated but oversaturated.
Nigeria’s economic challenges, including hyperinflation in May 2025, hit young lawyers hard. Many start with salaries as low as ₦50,000 ($30) per month in small firms, barely enough to cover living costs in cities like Lagos. Posts on social media lament the NBA’s failure to secure better remuneration for young lawyers, unlike other professions. For rural practitioners, the situation is worse, with limited access to clients and resources.
The legal job market favours those with connections, leaving many new wigs struggling. Corporate law and litigation in top firms are lucrative but reserved for elites or those with mentorship from Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs). The NBA’s Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), with over 6,000 members, offers opportunities in commercial law, but its focus on specialized fields like arbitration and technology excludes many without advanced training. Rural areas, where legal services are needed, lack infrastructure, pushing young lawyers to urban centers.
The judiciary’s inefficiencies; case backlogs, bribery allegations, and political interference frustrate new lawyers. A 2020 poll showed 88% of Nigerians view the judiciary as corrupt, eroding public trust. The NBA’s silence on issues like governors’ suppression of free speech, as noted in a 2020 Guardian article, further disheartens new lawyers seeking to champion human rights.
The 2025 NBA Annual General Conference, themed “Stand Out, Stand Tall,” emphasized innovation and ethics. New lawyers must navigate emerging fields like AI-driven legal tech while adhering to strict ethical standards. The NBA-SBL’s July 2025 conference on “The Future of Business Law in an Intelligence Age” highlighted the need for tech-savvy practitioners, but many new wigs lack access to such training.
Pathways for the next generation
Despite these hurdles, the next generation of barristers has diverse pathways to forge impactful careers, supported by the NBA’s evolving initiatives and Nigeria’s dynamic legal landscape. Litigation remains a core path, with opportunities to represent clients in Nigeria’s busy courts. New lawyers can join established chambers or start their own, though capital and mentorship are critical. The NBA’s focus on human rights and rule of law offers a platform for young barristers to tackle issues like police brutality, echoing the #EndSARS movement.
The NBA-SBL’s 26 specialized committees, covering sectors like banking, energy, and intellectual property, provide entry points for those interested in corporate law. Nigeria’s growing tech and startup ecosystem, with hubs in Lagos and Abuja, demands legal expertise in contracts and compliance, offering lucrative roles for tech-savvy lawyers.
Opportunities in government legal departments or agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission appeal to those seeking stability. Academia, though less common, allows lawyers to shape future generations through teaching and research at institutions like the Nigerian Law School. With Nigeria’s courts overwhelmed, ADR mediation and arbitration is gaining attention. The NBA’s partnerships, like with the Law Society of England and Wales, provide training in international arbitration, a growing field for young lawyers.
The NBA’s mission to use law for social change resonates with many new wigs. Initiatives like the Grassroots Justice Network empower lawyers to serve underserved communities, addressing issues like land disputes and gender-based violence. Some young lawyers aim to work with NGOs to provide pro bono services, inspired by pioneers like Gani Fawehinmi.
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Final take
For Nigeria’s 5,728 new barristers, the Call to Bar is both a milestone and a challenge. They enter a profession rich with opportunity but burdened by economic hardship, systemic flaws, and intense competition. Yet, their energy and diversity reflected in the NBA’s 129 branches and growing focus on tech and social justice signal a transformative future. With the right support from the NBA and a commitment to ethical practice, this generation could redefine Nigeria’s legal landscape, standing tall as advocates for justice in a complex world.
