Tinubu Transmits Legal Practitioners Bill 2025 to Senate, Seeks Comprehensive Reform of Legal Profession

By Iyojo Ameh

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the Legal Practitioners Bill 2025 to the Senate, marking a major step in the administration’s push to overhaul Nigeria’s legal profession and strengthen public trust in the justice system.

The bill was formally read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who announced its referral to the Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.

The proposed law seeks to repeal the existing Legal Practitioners Act of 2004, replacing it with a more robust regulatory framework aimed at modernizing legal practice in line with global standards. According to Akpabio, the bill is centered on protecting public interest, promoting the rule of law, and enhancing confidence in legal services nationwide.

A major feature of the draft legislation is the creation of a Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, which will be empowered to investigate and sanction lawyers found guilty of professional misconduct. Punishments may range from suspension to outright removal from the roll of legal practitioners.

The bill also proposes sweeping reforms, including:

A mandatory two-year pupillage for newly qualified lawyers

Compulsory continuing professional development (CPD)

Standardized licensing procedures

Mandatory stamps and seals to authenticate lawyers’ documents

These measures, the presidency says, are designed to improve ethical conduct, ensure accountability, and uphold the integrity of legal practice in Nigeria.

The Senate Committee on Rules and Business is expected to submit its report within four weeks.

If passed, the Legal Practitioners Bill 2025 will mark one of the most significant legal sector reforms in two decades, reshaping professional standards and strengthening the administration of justice across the country.