The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), in partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and through its EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Programme, is set to train more than 300 legal practitioners on the revised 2023 Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners.

Murkthar Suleiman, Communications Officer for International IDEA, announced in a press statement on Sunday that the two-day national sensitization event will take place in Abuja. The workshop will serve as a Training of Trainers (ToT) session, with participants drawn from all 130 NBA branches, including branch chairpersons and leaders of the Young Lawyers’ Forum.

“Following the training, these representatives will be tasked with conducting step-down training sessions for their respective members, ensuring widespread dissemination of the revised professional guidelines,” Suleiman stated.

The workshop aims to enhance legal practitioners’ understanding of the updated rules, promote ethical standards, and improve compliance within the legal profession. A significant outcome will be a comprehensive report identifying factors contributing to unethical practices among legal professionals, thereby fostering greater accountability.

According to Suleiman, this training aligns with ongoing efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and integrity within Nigeria’s legal sector. He emphasized that the NBA and its members are expected to play a crucial role in upholding professional ethics and ensuring a fair judicial process.

The objectives of the training include:
– Strengthening lawyers’ knowledge of the 2023 Rules of Professional Conduct
– Promoting ethical legal practices 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 reinforces the NBA’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerian lawyers adhere to global best practices in legal ethics and professional conduct. It also highlights the EU’s ongoing support for governance reforms in Nigeria through the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2022-2027, which focuses on strengthening democracy, justice sector reforms, and anti-corruption efforts.

Representing over 140,000 lawyers across Nigeria, the NBA remains one of Africa’s most influential legal organizations advocating for human rights, rule of law, and good governance. Similarly, International IDEA is dedicated to strengthening democracy globally and plays a pivotal role in promoting good governance and justice sector improvements.

This training marks a significant advancement toward enhancing professionalism within Nigeria’s legal community and ensuring that practitioners uphold the highest ethical standards.