Nigerian lawyers can now practice in UK, USA — CLB

The Centre for Law and Business and Barbri Global have said that lawyers in Nigeria can now practice law in the USA and UK after obtaining cross or multiple professional qualifications. 

Mr Dapo Oyewumi, founder and CEO Centre for Law and Business (CLB), disclosed this while addressing a press conference in Lagos on Thursday. 

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He said the development promises to bring immense benefits to lawyers and the legal profession in the West African region and ultimately to Africa. 

The event, which took place at the prestigious Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos also included a webinar entitled ‘The International Lawyer: Cross Professional Qualifications Masterclass’.

He said it is a collaboration between two foremost legal education institutions – Barbri Global and CLB – adding that the relationship will enable lawyers in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, etc to prepare within their jurisdictions for the examinations to be called to the New York Bar, the California Bar and UK Solicitor allowing them to obtain cross or multiple professional qualifications. 

Cross or multiple professional qualifications, according to him, will place such lawyers on the global professional stage, affording them the advantages of international opportunities and serving the needs of international clients, multinationals, multilateral organisations and more. 

He further said cross or multi-professionally qualified lawyers have the following advantages – distinguished self, global relevance and improved employability.

His words: “Significantly and uniquely, the UK solicitor qualification requirement which stipulates practical work experience will recognise and accept in-country work experience and candidates need not necessarily seek work experience abroad with UK solicitor firms to qualify under the programme.

“Notably also, non-lawyers can benefit from this offering and every forward-looking professional is invited to take advantage of this immense opportunity.”