June 26 (THEWILL) — The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has shortlisted 89 candidates for the conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in the 2026 exercise, with 77 legal practitioners under the advocacy category and 12 academics advancing to the final stage of the rigorous selection process.
The shortlist was released on Thursday in a statement signed by the Secretary of the LPPC and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi. The committee said the candidates emerged after successfully navigating multiple stages of assessment designed to evaluate their professional competence, integrity, and contributions to the legal profession.
The SAN rank remains Nigeria’s highest professional honour for legal practitioners and is reserved for lawyers and academics who have demonstrated exceptional distinction in advocacy, legal scholarship, and service to the administration of justice.
According to the LPPC, the shortlisted candidates passed through the advocates’ first and second filtration exercises, academic pre-qualification, academic first attrition exercise, independent appeals hearing, and chambers inspection before making the final list published for public scrutiny.
The committee explained that publication of the names is a statutory requirement preceding the final interview of eligible applicants and should not be interpreted as confirmation of successful elevation to the coveted rank.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the publication of the names of the shortlisted Applicants is not an indication of a successful application,” the LPPC stated.
As part of the final assessment process, the committee invited members of the public to provide information regarding the character, competence, and professional conduct of the shortlisted candidates.
It specifically requested comments on the integrity, reputation, and competence of each applicant, stressing that public input forms part of the assessment before the final decision on successful candidates is reached.
The LPPC directed that all comments be addressed to the Office of the Secretary, Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja, and submitted not later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
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