The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) introduced a digital stamp and seal for legal practitioners in Nigeria on Monday.

According to the NBA, the virtual stamp will not only help to verify the authenticity of lawyers but also ensure efficient preparation and filing of legal documents.

The outgoing President of the association, Yakubu Maikyau, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who unveiled the electronic stamp and seal, stated that it aligns with his administration’s vision of promoting the complete digitization of the legal system.

He mentioned that the association recently conducted an online election, allowing members to participate from various locations across the country.

“That election has been adjudged to be free, fair and the most credible. What we did during the election is a template that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, should copy.

“I invite INEC to come and understudy what we did to make the election seamless, with the electorates casting their ballot from the comfort of their homes.

“To a large extent, it reduces the cost of conducting an election and I suggest that INEC should really be thinking in that line. Maybe, we need to write to the National Assembly to make a legislation that will mandate the Commission to go this route,” he said.

Mr. Maikyau commended the beneficial influence of technology in the execution of the legal entity’s operations.

“For the first time in the history of the association, the registration of lawyers for its forthcoming Annual General Conference, AGC, was effectively done electronically without awarding the contract to a third party.

“Registration for the 2024 AGC was done on the platform of the NBA.

“This is about pressing forward. It is a posture we must take in building our nation. By making our profession better, we are also moving the nation forward,” he stated.

Likewise, the General Secretary of NBA, Adeshina Adegbite, stated that on June 18, the association executed the contract that ensured the implementation of the virtual stamp and seal.

He affirmed that lawyers could apply for and obtain the stamp and seal promptly.

He further mentioned that essential safeguards were established to ensure the authenticity and security of the system, which would operate using blockchain technology.