By Chief Frank Agbedo
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Introduction
Practising law in Nigeria is a demanding mix of idealism, hustle and resilience. For many, the profession is a calling — an opportunity to enforce peoples’ rights, shape policy, and protect justice. For others, it’s a hard-won livelihood that requires grit to navigate structural and systemic obstacles and day-to-day pressures associated with the profession. We examine below a concise portrait of that life: what it takes, what keeps lawyers going, the systemic challenges they face, and practical ways to navigate the frontiers.
The Grit — what it really takes:
– Training and Entry: Becoming a Nigerian lawyer entails undergoing, at least five years, of study for an LL.B, subsequently, the Nigerian Law School, and the Call to Bar. The early phase is usually intense- examinations, internships or chambers attachments, and for many, NYSC obligations before settling into practice.
– Long hours and high workload: Junior lawyers and associates routinely work late preparing pleadings, conducting research, drafting processes, legal documents/contracts, and attending court sessions. Many take on administrative and client-management tasks alongside legal work.
– Remunerations and financial muscle: Starting pay can be low in many firms or private chambers, and irregular fee collection is common. Efforts to standardize remuneration of lawyers, particularly young lawyers, are yet to materialize, despite the longstanding clamour by well-meaning bar leaders and members of the profession. Lawyers often endure poor fees and remunerations, while focusing on cutting their wisdom teeth in legalcpractise, and building strong client bases.
– Emotional resilience:
The Challenges faced depends largely on area of practise. For instance, the handling of criminal matters, human-rights cases, family disputes, or corporate disputes, requires higher mental toughness and professional detachment, without dispensing with emotional intelligence and compassion.
Triumphs — the rewards that sustain the practise.
– Making tangible impact: Winning landmark cases, securing a client’s freedom, influencing or drafting policies that benefits the people/ communities brings deep satisfaction. Many Nigerian lawyers play pivotal roles in constitutional litigation, human-rights victories, and governance reforms.
– Professional recognitions and influence: Successful lawyers can shape legislation, sit on regulatory boards, and contribute to national discourse. His legal expertise is frequently sought after by media, NGOs, and government.
– Diverse opportunities: Beyond courtrooms, lawyers work in corporate counsel roles, arbitration, compliance, fintech, oil & gas, environmental law, academia, public service, and international organizations. Legal skills translate across sectors.
– Community service and legacy: Many senior counsel run mentorship programs, legal aid clinics, and bar activities that strengthen the profession and deliver access to justice.
Major challenges to successful legal practise.
– Case backlog and procedural delays: Court congestion and slow processes prolong disputes, reducing client satisfaction and increasing costs.
– Fee recovery and payment culture: Clients who default or delay payment are a perennial problem, affecting cash flow especially for smaller firms.
– Infrastructure and technology gaps: Poor court infrastructure, inconsistent electronic filing systems, and limited digitization slow efficiency. Power outages, unreliable internet, and high costs complicate modern practice.
– Corruption and political interference: Perceived or real interference and corrupt practices erode trust in institutions and add ethical and practical pressures.
– Security risks: Lawyers involved in politically sensitive or criminal matters may face, constant intimidation, cyber threats and harassment.
– Regulatory and operational costs: Bar dues, licensing fees, rent, staff salaries, and compliance costs can be heavy for young practitioners, even for older lawyers.
– Mental health and burnout: The unrelenting workload, pressure to bill, and exposure to traumatic matters take a toll on wellbeing. A lot of fatalities involving lawyers, while discharging their duties, both in and out of court rooms, have been recorded.
Navigating the frontiers— practical tips for lawyers and law students
– Specialization: Identify a niche (commercial law, criminal law, arbitration, tech law, oil & gas, human rights) and build depth. Specialists are in higher demand and can command better fees.
– Network and Mentorship: Join bar associations, alumni groups, and legal clinics.
Mentors accelerate learning and open doors.
– Investing in tech and processes: Use legal-research tools, practice-management software, and secure communication channels to save time and reduce errors.
– Manage clients proactively: Use clear engagement letters, phased billing, and retainers. Set expectations early about costs and timelines.
– Keep learning: Attend CLEs, read judgments, and follow trends (data protection, AML, fintech regulation). Continuous learning keeps your practice relevant.
– Diversify income
streams: Consider consultancy, teaching, ADR, or part-time corporate roles to stabilize income.
– Prioritize wellbeing: Set boundaries, seek mental-health support, and take regular breaks. A sustainable career needs resilience, not martyrdom.
– Engage in pro bono wisely: Pro bono work can build reputation and fulfil ethical duty, but manage caseloads so paying clients aren’t neglected.
– Advocacy for reform: Participate in bar committees and civic initiatives to push for court modernization, better case-management systems, and improved lawyer protection.
Conclusion
Life as a Nigerian lawyer is a balance of grit and gratification. The profession offers rare opportunities to make systemic and personal impact, but it demands patience, strategy, and moral courage. By specializing, adopting good business practices, investing in technology, and supporting one another through mentorship and reform, Nigerian lawyers can overcome structural challenges and continue to be indispensable architects of justice and development.
Chief Frank Agbedo, legal practitioner and author, writes from Lagos
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