The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), through its EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Programme, is set to train over 300 legal practitioners on the revised 2023 Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners. The initiative is being organized in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Murkthar Suleiman, Communications Officer at International IDEA, announced in a press statement on Sunday that the two-day national sensitization workshop will take place in Abuja. Designed as a Training of Trainers (ToT) session, it will bring together participants from all 130 NBA branches, including branch chairpersons and leaders of the Young Lawyers’ Forum.
“Following the training, these representatives will be expected to conduct step-down training sessions for their respective members, ensuring a nationwide dissemination of the revised professional guidelines,” Suleiman stated.
The workshop aims to strengthen legal practitioners’ understanding of the updated rules, reinforce ethical standards, and improve compliance within the legal profession. A key outcome will be a comprehensive report identifying factors contributing to unethical practices among lawyers, fostering greater accountability.
International IDEA emphasized that the initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and integrity in Nigeria’s legal sector. “The NBA and legal practitioners are expected to play a critical role in upholding professional ethics, ensuring a fair and transparent judicial process, and reinforcing public confidence in the legal system,” Suleiman added.
The training will focus on:
• Strengthening lawyers’ knowledge of the 2023 Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Promoting ethical legal practice and combating professional misconduct.
• Addressing key factors contributing to unethical behavior in the legal profession.
• Fostering a culture of accountability and transparency among legal practitioners.
This initiative underscores the NBA’s commitment to ensuring Nigerian lawyers adhere to global best practices in legal ethics and professional conduct. It also reflects the EU’s continued support for governance reforms in Nigeria through the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2022–2027, which prioritizes strengthening democracy, justice sector reforms, and anti-corruption efforts.
With over 140,000 members, the NBA remains one of Africa’s most influential legal bodies, advocating for human rights, the rule of law, and good governance. Likewise, International IDEA, a global intergovernmental organization dedicated to strengthening democracy, continues to play a pivotal role in promoting good governance and justice sector improvements worldwide.
This training marks a significant step toward enhancing professionalism in Nigeria’s legal community and ensuring that legal practitioners uphold the highest ethical standards.
