THE NIGERIAN LEGAL PRACTITIONER AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

Economic integration of States in Africa, Europe and other parts of the world has been on-going for decades. State parties to economic integration treaties intend to promote economic development through economic cooperation. The desire for economic development in Africa has led to the need for political integration as well, both at the regional and continental spheres. Consequently, state parties to various economic treaties are making efforts to harmonise their laws and policies in order to incorporate inter alia the establishment of free trade zones for the smooth operation of transboundary trade and the overall interest of promoting economic development in the regions or continent. In Africa for instance, there are integration arrangements which span through the regions and the continent such as the various Regional Economic Communities and the African Union respectively. African Legal Professionals play a vital role in fostering the aim of integration arrangements within the African continent. Nigerian legal practitioners can, in collaboration with other legal professionals, contribution their quota towards economic development in Africa. This paper seeks to consider the prospects available to a Nigerian legal practitioner as well as the challenges that may be faced in order to contribute to economic development in Africa through cross-border legal practice.