Legal Practitioners Shortlists 89 Lawyers, Academics For 2026 SAN Conferment

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has released the list of candidates shortlisted for the 2026 conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

A total of 89 applicants made the shortlist, comprising 77 legal practitioners in the advocacy category and 12 academics.

New Telegraph reports that the rank of SAN is the highest professional distinction awarded to legal practitioners in the country.

It is conferred annually on lawyers and legal scholars who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to legal practice, scholarship and the advancement of the profession.

The shortlist of 2026 was announced in a statement issued by the LPPC Secretary and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.

According to the committee, the shortlisted applicants successfully progressed through the various stages of the selection process, including the first and second filtration exercises for advocates, academic pre-qualification, academic first attrition exercise, independent appeals hearing and chambers inspection.

The publication of the shortlist marks the commencement of the final phase of the 2026 SAN conferment process, which includes interviews for successful candidates.

The LPPC, however, stressed that making the shortlist does not guarantee eventual conferment of the rank.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the publication of the names of the shortlisted Applicants is not an indication of a successful application,” the committee stated.

The committee also called on members of the public to participate in the process by providing information on the integrity, reputation and professional competence of the shortlisted candidates.

“The committee therefore invited the general public to comment on the integrity, reputation, and competence of the shortlisted candidates.”

According to the LPPC, all comments should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary, Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja, and must reach the office not later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15.

The shortlist includes 77 advocates and 12 academics, whose names were published by the committee as part of the 2026 SAN conferment exercise.