The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has raised strong objections to the recent bilateral agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, formalizing the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP).
The controversial aspect of the deal permits English lawyers to practice in Nigeria without obstacles, raising concerns among Nigerian legal professionals about potential disadvantages.
The NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, labeled the agreement a "tragic reminder of our colonial past" and expressed dismay at the lack of consultation with the NBA.
Maikyau emphasized the significant knowledge and skills gap between Nigerian and British lawyers, criticizing the Nigerian government for potentially undermining its legal professionals. The NBA vows to resist the agreement through legal means, denouncing it as unacceptable and detrimental to Nigeria's legal space.
