Why Nigeria Should Embrace Multiple Bar Associations: A Perspective Inspired by Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Chairman Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)

Recall that in the wake of the Judgment of Justice Glays Olotu of the Federal High Court ordering the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to register the Nigerian Law Society (NLS) as an alternative association of lawyers in Nigeria, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, OON, SAN, FCIArb . — Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) — had sparked a crucial conversation about the future of legal professional representation in Nigeria with a series of thought provoking remarks.

His views challenge the longstanding monopoly of the NBA and advocate for a more pluralistic system where lawyers can belong to different associations. For a country as diverse and dynamic as Nigeria, this perspective is not only refreshing but necessary for progress.

Dr. Agbakoba began by drawing a simple yet powerful comparison: “I don’t see why we can’t have more than one NBA. There’s no reason. The accountants have two.” This statement cuts to the heart of the matter. If other professions, such as accountancy, thrive with multiple professional bodies offering varied benefits, specializations, and advocacy channels, why should the legal profession be restricted? It suggests that competition and choice could drive better service, innovation, and responsiveness to lawyers’ needs.

He further anchored his support in the bedrock of Nigerian law — the Constitution. “Personally speaking, I’m not opposed to having more than one association of lawyers because the Constitution says that anyone is free to associate.” This is a profound reminder that the freedom of association is a fundamental right. A single, mandatory bar association could be seen as limiting this constitutional guarantee. Pluralism in bar associations would empower lawyers to form or join groups that best reflect their professional interests, practice areas, or reform agendas.

Ultimately, Dr. Agbakoba shifts the focus from structure to substance. “At the end of the day, it’s not about whether it’s only one NBA; it’s about what the NBA does for its members. So I have nothing against having more than one body of lawyers.” The real measure of a professional association is its value to its members — how well it advocates for their welfare, provides continuing education, ensures ethical standards, and influences legal policy. Multiple associations could foster healthy competition, each striving to offer superior benefits and more focused representation for different segments of the legal community.

This vision of a pluralistic bar is not untested. Many advanced jurisdictions operate successfully with multiple bar associations. In the United States, lawyers may belong to the American Bar Association (ABA), state bar associations, and countless specialized bar associations (e.g., for trial lawyers, intellectual property lawyers, or minority attorneys).

This ecosystem allows for broad advocacy at the national level alongside focused, niche support locally and thematically. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, solicitors and barristers have distinct representative bodies (The Law Society and The Bar Council, respectively), and there are numerous other specialized associations. This plurality has encouraged specialization, heightened accountability, and provided lawyers with a choice in who represents their interests.

Nigeria stands at a crossroads. With the respected voice of its NBA Board of Trustees Chairman advocating for openness and choice, the legal profession has a unique opportunity to reimagine its future. Embracing multiple bar associations could enhance professional development, strengthen advocacy, and ultimately, enrich the administration of justice in Africa’s largest democracy. The question is no longer if we can have more than one, but how soon we can make this pluralism a reality for Nigerian lawyers.