The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has proposed to make the study of law a second-degree course in Nigerian Universities.
In a statement signed by the NBA secretary, Isiaka Olagunju, the development is to raise the bar for Nigerian lawyers and to find a lasting solution to the seemingly low standard of legal profession in the country.
To this effect, a 23-man committee has been inaugurated by the NBA president, Abubakar Mahmud, SAN and chaired by Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN, while Dr Aminu Gamawa is the secretary.
He noted that the idea is still an agenda for the committee, he said the committee would look at the current size of the legal profession and its exponential growth in recent years in relation to the needs of the Nigerian economy. Also the committee will consider the desirability of candidates seeking admission to the law faculties in Nigeria to possess a degree in another discipline as a condition for admission.
The agenda reads in part “Review the current regulatory objectives and the regulatory architecture of the legal profession and advise on its suitability to meet the current requirements for a robust, responsive and independent modern legal profession in Nigeria.’’
He added that the Nigerian Bar Association has repeatedly expressed concerns in the falling standard of legal education and legal practice, he described it as a disturbing phenomenon that must be addressed urgently and adequately.
