In a surprising turn of events, the Federal Government of Nigeria has reversed its stance on the Law implications of the recently signed Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership with the United Kingdom. The move comes in the wake of widespread criticism from Nigerians who perceived the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as one-sided.
Nigeria’s Minister for Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, took to X to set the record straight, stating, “Regrettably, our earlier report erroneously suggests that Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding that allows lawyers licensed in the United Kingdom to practice in Nigeria.” The Minister emphasized that there is no such provision in the MoU and clarified, “As it currently stands, foreign licensed lawyers (including those licensed in the UK) cannot practice in Nigeria.”
Earlier, the UK’s Department of Business and Trade and a tweet from Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment had announced the deal, but Uzoka-Anite clarified, “We made no commitment under the MOU or elsewhere, to allow UK-licensed lawyers to practice in Nigeria.” The Nigerian Bar Association condemned the purported agreement, deeming the minister’s initial statement as “ridiculous, unpatriotic, and uninformed.”
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This about-face by the Federal Government highlights the complexities and scrutiny surrounding the trade deal, leaving many questioning the initial transparency and clarity of the agreement.