The Nigerian legal profession stands on the cusp of a profound shift. With the Nigerian Bar Association – Institute of Continuing Legal Education (NBA-ICLE) mandating a minimum of five Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points as a prerequisite for the renewal of 2026 licences and seals, the rules of practice are being redefined.
Formation Exceptionelle, a leading knowledge hub for legal and business training, has announced a premium CPD-certified programme designed to help lawyers meet this requirement while strengthening one of the most critical aspects of professional competence – writing legal opinions.
Why This Training Matters
Legal opinions sit at the heart of practice. They shape commercial decisions, underpin negotiations, guide litigation strategies, and, in some cases, safeguard national interests. Poorly drafted opinions not only weaken cases but also damage reputations.
As the NBA-ICLE tightens professional standards, lawyers who master this skill will be better positioned to meet client expectations, compete internationally, and demonstrate the value of their practice. The Formation Exceptionelle programme provides a 1 CPD point credit, offering a practical pathway towards compliance with the new regime while delivering real value to everyday practice.
A Global Context
The NBA-ICLE’s CPD mandate aligns Nigeria with leading jurisdictions. The United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, and Kenya already condition annual practice rights on demonstrable professional development. In Ghana, the Chief Justice recently signalled the same direction, requiring at least 12 hours of structured learning yearly.
For Nigerian practitioners, this means the luxury of optional learning has given way to the necessity of structured, continual growth. CPD is no longer a “nice-to-have”; it is the foundation for credibility, competitiveness, and compliance.
About the Programme
The Formation Exceptionelle CPD training on Legal Opinions is not designed as another checkbox exercise. Instead, it will expose participants to:
- The anatomy of persuasive and defensible legal opinions
- Common pitfalls in drafting and how to avoid them
- Best practices from global law firms and cross-border transactions
- Practical frameworks for clarity, precision, and professional rigour
Delivered by Oni and Bella, the session promises both theoretical grounding and practical application, equipping lawyers to draft opinions that clients can act upon with confidence.
Next Steps for Practitioners
With less than a year before the renewal window for 2026 opens, legal practitioners are strongly advised to begin accumulating CPD points systematically. Last-minute rushes could risk practice continuity or compromise compliance.
The training, scheduled for 17 October 2025, will be facilitated by two of Nigeria’s most respected legal minds: Ayodele Oni, partner at Bloomfield Law, and Seyi Bella, partner at Banwo & Ighodalo. Together, they will unpack the discipline, precision, and analytical depth required to craft legal opinions that stand up to scrutiny in boardrooms, courtrooms, and cross-border transactions.
Registration for the Formation Exceptionelle training is now open, at thirty thousand naira, and spaces are limited. For ambitious lawyers seeking to meet CPD requirements while elevating their craft, this programme represents both a timely compliance solution and an investment in professional excellence.
