Nigerian Legal Profession Split Over Mandatory Two-Year Apprenticeship
A proposed legislative change that would require all newly qualified lawyers in Nigeria to undergo a two-year apprenticeship has ignited a fierce debate within the country's legal community. The bill, which has successfully passed its second reading in the National Assembly, seeks to amend the Legal Practitioners Act of 2004. If enacted, it would fundamentally alter the traditional path to legal practice, mandating a pupillage period before lawyers can practice independently.
Currently, after completing a law degree and the one-year programme at the Nigerian Law School, graduates are called to the Bar and can begin full legal practice immediately. The new proposal, championed by some senior members of the bar, aims to insert a mandatory two-year practical training period into this pathway.
Young Lawyers Voice Concerns Over Time and Exploitation
Many recent law graduates and younger legal practitioners have expressed strong reservations about the plan. Goodluck Enebeli, a lawyer who was recently called to the bar, highlighted the significant time investment already required. "Students spend a minimum of six years studying law at the undergraduate level. Some people spend more than that because of the ASUU strike," he told The Guardian.
Enebeli pointed out that with an additional year at law school and waiting for results, the proposed two-year pupillage could extend the total training period to eight or nine years. He suggested integrating a more comprehensive pupillage into an extended 18-month Law School curriculum instead.
The Law Graduates Association of Nigeria (LAWGAN) has officially opposed the bill. In a statement dated December 24, its President, Kayode Bello, warned that the mandatory apprenticeship could lead to unnecessary redundancy and impose further financial and time burdens on graduates. Enebeli also argued that the root cause of young lawyers quickly leaving firms to start their own practices is low pay, not lack of training. "It is unfair for young lawyers to earn N100,000 or N150,000 because they are young," he stated.
Senior Lawyers Advocate for Enhanced Practical Training
In contrast, prominent legal figures support the proposal as a necessary step towards improving professional standards. Veteran lawyer Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, described the bill as a "very good idea." With nearly 50 years of experience, Agbakoba believes new lawyers fresh from law school require hands-on experience under accredited senior lawyers to fully grasp practical legal issues.
Adebare Akinwunmi, a partner at CrestHall Attorneys with almost a decade of experience, agrees. He told The Guardian that a properly structured pupillage system has the potential to bridge the persistent gap between academic theory and real-world legal practice, thereby strengthening professionalism across the board.
However, Akinwunmi issued a crucial caveat. He emphasized that for the system to succeed and not be abused, clear rules and enforceable safeguards must be established. "Without clear rules and enforceable safeguards, there is a risk that the programme could be abused by senior members of the profession," he cautioned.
He recommended implementing minimum remuneration standards and structured learning outcomes to prevent the pupillage from devolving into a period of "unpaid or underpaid servitude" or exposing young lawyers to exploitative environments. "If these safeguards are put in place and properly enforced, the two-year pupillage could mark a positive step," Akinwunmi concluded, warning that without them, the policy might do more harm than good.
The debate continues as the bill progresses, with the future training of Nigeria's lawyers hanging in the balance.
