NBA Secretary Addresses Stamp Production Delays, Apologizes to Members

In a recent communication to the legal community, the General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Adesina Adegbite, has issued an unreserved apology to members of the Association for the significant delays experienced in the production and dispatch of NBA stamps.

The delays, which have caused widespread inconvenience among lawyers, stem from challenges faced by the stamp producer, including difficulties in procuring production materials due to fluctuating foreign exchange rates and rising inflation.

Adegbite noted that despite efforts to shield members from the impact of rising costs, these financial pressures have strained the current stamp production process. “The insistence to protect the interest of our members against paying higher costs for stamps has also invited unavoidable consequences,” he stated, indicating that the current pricing model for stamps is no longer sustainable and will likely need to be revised.

The Secretary assured members that the NBA has been actively engaging with the stamp producer to resolve the issue. He confirmed that materials required for the production of pending stamp applications have now been delivered, and production is underway. Members can expect a mass dispatch of the backlog of stamps starting from Tuesday, August 20, 2024, to their respective branches.

In addressing the broader issues, Adegbite also announced the imminent introduction of a digital stamp (e-stamp) as an alternative to the problematic physical stamps. The development of this digital solution has been completed, and the NBA is set to unveil the new system in the coming days. This move is expected to alleviate the challenges associated with the physical stamps and streamline the application process for members.

Adegbite acknowledged that some delays were exacerbated by incomplete applications on the NBA portal, with some members failing to upload necessary documents, such as the Branch due receipt. He emphasized that the portal would be updated to ensure that lawyers receive immediate notifications for any incomplete applications.

The General Secretary closed his statement by reaffirming his commitment to serving the Association with “humility and integrity” and expressed his eagerness for the upcoming digital stamp regime, which he believes will greatly benefit NBA members.