UK Lawyers Can Now Practise In Nigeria As Both Nations Sign Deal

Nigeria and the United Kingdom have signed a deal allowing UK lawyers to offer legal services and operate businesses in Nigeria.

This is the first time UK will be signing such a deal with an African country, a press statement posted on the UK website said.

The deal tagged ‘Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership’ (ETIP), which is to enhance cooperation between both nations was signed on Tuesday, 13 February.

British Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, signed the ETIP alongside Nigerian Minister for Trade, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite in Abuja.

The British Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch is on a working visit to Nigeria.

The UK statement said: “The Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) is the first the UK has signed with an African country and is designed to grow the UK and Nigeria’s already thriving trading relationship, which totalled £7 billion in the year to September 2023.”

“The partnership will create opportunities across a breadth of sectors crucial to both economies, such as financial and legal services,” it added.

On the aspect of legal practice, the statement explained that the partnership “will see the UK and Nigeria’s shared aspiration to facilitate each other’s lawyers practising foreign and international law in each other’s jurisdictions – a step which could significantly enhance legal services collaboration and exports.”

“It will also pave the way for further collaboration in the film and media industry and encourage world-leading UK education providers to offer high quality education in Nigeria,” added.

Speaking on the deal, Kemi Badenoch said: it will help the two countries deepen collaboration.

She said: “Nigeria has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. UK businesses have already seen huge success here and I look forward to seeing how we continue to grow this relationship.”

Nigeria’s Trade Minister, who expressed delight in signing of the agreement, noted that it would depend the two nations’ ties.

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In a post on her X handle on Tuesday after signing the deal, Uzoka-Anite, said it reaffirms Nigeria’s dedication to building economic and trade alliances, especially in critical sectors like energy, legal, and financial services.

“This agreement will remove obstacles for UK lawyers practicing international law in Nigeria, and amplifying UK legal services exports. Furthermore, it will foster collaboration in the film and media industry and promotes high-quality UK education in Nigeria.

“This partnership will see Nigeria-UK relations move beyond one of shared history and strong ties to one of shared economic prosperity. From increasing market access and supporting our vibrant businesses, to creating more jobs and accelerate greater investments in sectors of mutual interests.”

The minister further noted that as at September 2023, the two nations had already achieved “an impressive combined trade value of £7 billion ($8.8 billion), indicating promising prospects for future collaboration and economic growth.”