The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has announced the names of 89 legal practitioners and academics who have progressed to the final phase of the 2026 Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) conferment process.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Secretary of the committee and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi. According to the LPPC, the shortlisted candidates successfully navigated the various assessment stages required for consideration for the prestigious legal title.
The screening process included the first and second filtration exercises for advocates, academic pre-qualification assessments, independent appeals hearings, and inspections of applicants’ law offices.
Of the 89 candidates, 77 were selected from the advocates’ category, while 12 emerged from the academic category.
Prominent names on the advocates’ list include former spokesperson of the Nigerian Bar Association, Habeeb Akorede Lawal; former NBA Lagos Branch chairman, Alex Mouka; and Aisha Ado Abdullahi, Director and Registrar-General of the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce Dispute Resolution Centre. Other shortlisted candidates include Adetunji Adedoyin-Adeniyi, Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja, Soibi Ideriah Ovia, Olawale Fapohunda, and Olugbenga Ajala.
Among those shortlisted under the academic category are the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Ibrahim Abikan Abdulqadir, and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at Redeemer’s University, Professor Omoniyi Bukola Akinola, alongside 10 other scholars.
The committee noted that the publication of the shortlist is part of the process leading to the final interview stage and called on members of the public to provide information regarding the character, competence, and professional conduct of any of the candidates.
It stated that petitions against shortlisted applicants must be supported by a sworn affidavit before a Superior Court of Record in Nigeria or a Notary Public. Complaints must be submitted in 20 copies to the LPPC Secretariat or sent electronically before 4:00 p.m. on July 15, 2026.
The LPPC stressed that inclusion on the shortlist does not guarantee the award of the SAN title, as all candidates must still participate in the final interview before successful recipients are announced.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria remains the highest professional honour bestowed on lawyers and legal academics in the country, recognising outstanding contributions to legal practice, scholarship, and the advancement of the profession.
LPPC Publishes Shortlist for 2026 SAN Award
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