A traditional barrister’s wig. The NLS says the Legal Practitioners Act, 1962 still recognizes the title. A fresh disagreement has broken out between the Nigerian Law Society and the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria over what lawyers should be called. The CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, had in a memo dated July 13, 2026, ordered lawyers and court staff to stop using “Barrister” as a prefix in the Supreme Court. The memo, signed by the Chief Registrar, Kabir Akanbi, said the decision was to uphold standards at the top court. But the Nigerian Law Society, NLS, says that order does not stand on any law. Speaking for the group, Executive Director Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja said the Legal Practitioners Act of 1962 clearly gives Nigerian lawyers two titles after they are called to Bar: “Barrister” and “Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.” Jaja pointed out that the CJN wants lawyers to now use “Esquire” or “Esq.” instead. The problem, he said, is that “Esquire” is also not mention...

T he Anambra State Government has put its foot down on the holding of separate New Yam festivals in communities across the state. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Chief Vin Ezeaka, said the government will no longer tolerate individuals and groups organizing their own “Iwa Ji” or “Iri Ji” ahead of, or on the same day as, their traditional rulers. According to Champion Newspaper , the warning came after the ministry noticed a rise in what it called unlawful celebrations that clash with the culture and traditions of the people. Ezeaka said the government had earlier sent a letter to all Presidents-General and royal fathers to address the issue. But despite that, some people have continued to go ahead with their own versions of the festival. “The government has observed that certain individuals and groups now organize new yam celebrations in their communities before the traditional ruler, or on the same day with him,” Ezeaka ...

T he National Association of Nigerian Students has called on state governors to step in quickly and prevent another shutdown of public universities. In a statement issued on Tuesday, NANS said undergraduates must not be forced to pay for disagreements between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and government. The group warned that any new closure of campuses would add to the academic delays, emotional stress and financial pressure already faced by millions of students nationwide. NANS was responding to ASUU’s decision to allow 20 university branches to issue 14-day strike notices over parts of the 2025 agreement with the Federal Government that are yet to be met. With those notices now active, the possibility of industrial action is getting closer. The effect is already being felt. Teaching and learning have been halted at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, sparking fears that the academic calendar could be disrupted again. NANS President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, sai...