“Afam Osigwe, SAN Champions Equitable Compensation: A Landmark Address at the Nigerian Bar Association Benin Branch Meeting”
On Sunday, the 11th of February 2024, at the Nigerian Bar Association Benin Branch meeting, hosted by Afam Osigwe, SAN, members were treated to an insightful address regarding the imperative of collaboration with the Renumeration Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, which he chairs, for the effective implementation of the Renumeration Order 2023. This order aims to standardize the compensation of lawyers for their legal services. In his eloquent speech, Afam underscored the pivotal role lawyers will play in ensuring the robust execution of the order, declaring emphatically that the era of meager stipends for legal services is now firmly in the past.
Afam expressed his committee’s unwavering commitment to advocating for just compensation for lawyers, likening it to a “long walk to freedom” in the realm of remuneration. He called upon his fellow legal professionals to become ambassadors for this new paradigm in remuneration, stressing the importance of educating clients to appreciate the true value of legal services. Afam highlighted a glaring disparity in compensation, citing examples such as property agents receiving higher fees than lawyers for similar transactions, and declared that such inequities are no longer acceptable in the evolving legal landscape.
The meeting drew an unprecedented turnout of branch members, indicative of the significant interest and support for Afam’s groundbreaking initiatives. It served as a platform for robust discussion and engagement, with attendees eager to contribute to the advancement of equitable compensation practices within the legal profession.
