According to recent developments, the initial statement made by the Federal Government regarding the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership with the United Kingdom has been withdrawn.
This decision was influenced by public criticism, particularly from Nigerians who expressed concerns about the perceived one-sided nature of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the UK.
In a thread on X, Nigerian Minister for Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, clarified that there is no legal agreement between Nigeria and the UK as previously stated. She further stated that the MoU signed earlier in the day was aimed at strengthening trade and investment between the two countries, and not to allow UK-licensed lawyers to practice in Nigeria as mistakenly reported.
It should be noted that there is currently no Mutual Recognition Agreement between Nigeria and the UK, and no commitments were made under the MoU or in any other agreements to permit foreign-licensed lawyers, including those from the UK, to practice in Nigeria.
The minister also acknowledged the ongoing discussions on cross-jurisdictional legal practice between Nigeria and the UK, which were reflected in the MoU.
The UK's Department of Business and Trade, and a tweet from Nigeria's Minister of Trade and Investment had earlier announced the signing of a deal to remove barriers for UK lawyers to practice international law in Nigeria, but this has since been clarified by the minister.
The Nigerian Bar Association has also discredited the initial statement by the minister, describing it as "absurd, unpatriotic, and uninformed."
