The Nigerian Law Society (NLS) has publicly challenged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) following the latter’s criticism of the NLS’s decision to award the ‘Blue Silk’ designation to distinguished legal professionals. In a formal statement released on Friday, the NLS, supported by its affiliate, the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON), asserted its right to manage its own affairs and grant titles to its members.
Previously, both the NBA and the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) condemned the creation of the ‘Blue Silk’ rank. The LPPC labeled the title as illegal and lacking statutory foundation, suggesting it infringes upon the 2023 Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners. The committee emphasized that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) remains the country’s sole official mark of top-tier professional achievement.
NLS President Ambassador Dahiru Aliyu rejected these claims, arguing that the NBA possesses no authority to intervene in the NLS’s internal functions. Aliyu drew a parallel to the NBA’s own recent claims of independence regarding its election processes, insisting that if the NBA can operate free from external pressure, the NLS and BOSCON hold identical rights to manage their own recognitions.
The NLS clarified that the ‘Blue Silk’ rank is awarded based on 35 verified non-litigation transactions and is entirely voluntary. Applicants apply by their own choice and commit to the governing rules of the organizations. Furthermore, the NLS cited a January 27, 2026, ruling by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, asserting that neither the LPPC nor the NBA holds the legal standing to interfere with their conferment processes.
