The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Eti-Osa Branch, Olanrewaju Obadina, says Canada’s legal profession operates under stricter ethical standards than Nigeria’s, warning that conduct tolerated locally could lead to disbarment abroad.
Obadina spoke in Lagos while briefing journalists on the branch’s 2026 Law Week scheduled for June 5 to June 11.
The event will feature legal experts from Nigeria and Canada, including Manitoba’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Hon. Matt Wiebe, who is expected to deliver the keynote address.
According to Obadina, lawyers in Canada face severe sanctions for misconduct, including public confrontations with clients, “ambulance chasing,” or attempts to poach another lawyer’s client.
“Professional responsibility in Canada is one million years ahead of Nigeria in terms of implementation,” he said. “Their system is so stringent that within the shortest time possible you can cross the line and be barred from practice.”
He said Canadian legal practice places strong emphasis on discipline, client respect and structured regulation. He added that lawyers are expected to control their conduct even in emotionally charged situations.
“You cannot take the law into your hands there,” Obadina said. “If you chase ambulances, you chase yourself out of the career.”
Obadina also highlighted differences in legal aid administration, saying Canadian lawyers receive cases through regulated legal aid systems instead of soliciting clients directly.
He noted that digital filing and remote court appearances have long been integrated into the Canadian justice system, while Nigeria is only beginning to adopt such processes.
“Federal High Courts just introduced e-filing recently, but these are things other countries have done for decades,” he said. “A lot of lawyers here are still struggling with technology.”
He said the Eti-Osa NBA branch would continue promoting legal technology and international collaboration to expose Nigerian lawyers to global best practices.
Obadina noted that many Nigerian-trained lawyers are excelling in Canada, citing a network of more than 2,000 Nigerian lawyers currently practicing there.
He said the branch aims to create cross-border legal partnerships and expand opportunities for Nigerian practitioners in international legal services.
The Law Week will open with a press briefing on June 5, followed by health walks, religious services and professional sessions.
The main conference begins June 8 and will include attorneys-general from several Southwest states, senior advocates, judges and legal technology experts.
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