In response to mounting concerns over the rising costs of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) in Nigeria, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, has assured lawyers that they will benefit from free Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programs under the association’s evolving legal education framework.
Speaking after a strategic meeting with the Director of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) and the leadership of the Young Lawyers Forum, the NBA President addressed key issues raised by members of the legal community regarding the accessibility and affordability of CPD courses. He emphasized that no lawyer is under any compulsion to attend mandatory CPD sessions and that every legal practitioner retains the right to choose their preferred training pathway.
Clarifying how the system operates, Osigwe revealed that payments for CPD courses are not made to the NBA itself but directly to service providers delivering those courses. The NBA’s primary role, he said, is to notify lawyers of available training opportunities that are accredited and eligible for CPD points.
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Lawyers, he added, can meet their mandatory five CPD hours per year through a variety of free options, including seminars offered by NBA branches, ICLE, or any other accredited institutions. These free and accessible resources are being prioritized to ensure that legal professionals at all stages, especially young lawyers can upgrade their knowledge and skills without financial strain.
He further stated that the ICLE Board will review the pricing of all CPD programs to keep them fair and accessible while reaffirming the association’s commitment to quality education. The Board will also continue promoting the accreditation of local training programs and seminars organized by NBA branches and recognized institutions, making them count toward lawyers’ annual CPD credit requirements.
Osigwe reiterated that the NBA remains steadfast in its vision to build a professional legal environment rooted in fairness, ethics, and equal access to growth opportunities. According to him, the CLE system is being strategically improved to empower lawyers with relevant knowledge, sharpened competencies, and the ability to thrive in a modern legal landscape without being burdened by unnecessary costs.
He concluded by reaffirming the NBA’s dedication to working closely with stakeholders to keep the Continuing Legal Education framework inclusive, practical, and affordable for all Nigerian lawyers.