Nigerian Bar Association New Online Payment System
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Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Bar Practice Fees Online Payment: A Detailed Guide

Copyright © 10 February 2019 By Dr. Leesi Ebenezer Mitee

A Historic Development In Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) History

Wow! History was made on 10 February 2019, when the Paul Usoro SAN-led Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Executive Committee announced the launch of the first-ever NBA online payment system (portal) for the association’s payment of the statutorily mandatory annual practising fees by all lawyers who have been called to the Nigerian Bar as Barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (licensed legal practitioners). Bravo! Congratulations!

In my write-up of 2018 titled The Urgent Need For Online Payment Of Nigerian Lawyers’ Annual Practising Fees And Dues, I had emphasised the need for such online payment system in this 21st Century with its all-pervasive impact of information and communications technology (ICT) on all aspects of human endeavour.

In his official statement on the epoch-making development, Paul Usoro SAN stated: “We are pleased to inform you that you can now register and make any and all kinds of payments to the NBA on the new NBA online payments portal. The pilot projects are the Bar Practice and Verification Fees but this would be extended shortly to include other fees.” Indeed, this project has removed the shame or reproach that the NBA has suffered because of its retrogressive, unacceptable physical payment system, as I highlighted in my said write-up.

Benefits Of The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Online Payment System

Paul Usoro SAN gave the cardinal benefits of the NBA online payment portal as follows:

  • Increased efficiency and seamless and instant payments (of all kinds) to the NBA including Bar Practice Fees.
  • Ease of payments to NBA by and from lawyers and other stakeholders. Payments can be made online, both within and outside Nigeria.
  • Enhanced use of technology for the efficient administration of the Bar and provision of services. The benefits include real-time information and data gathering.

How To Register To Use The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Online Payment Portal

  1. The Nigerian Bar Association has sent an email to the email address of verified lawyers only, which states that an account has been created for you. The email contains an activation code link to set up your password.
  2. If the activation link sent to your email expires, please click on https://nigerianbar.org.ng/membership-portal enter your Supreme Court (SC) number and follow the instructions to reset your password.
  3. Once password reset has been done successfully, kindly click on https://nigerianbar.org.ng/membership-portal to login to your account. Upon successful login, kindly click on the menu tab to view the list of functionalities available. For Desktop users, the menu tab is located at the top, and for mobile users, it is located on the left side.
  4. If you didn’t receive an email or you are unable to do a password reset, please send a mail to support@nigerianbar.org.ng

The Position of Unverified Nigerian Lawyers

The Nigerian Bar Association online payment portal is available for only Nigerian lawyers who have successfully participated in the online verification exercise. All unverified lawyers should visit https://nigerianbar.org.ng/get-verified to begin the verification process. The requirements for verification and updating of information are as follows:

  1. Call to Bar certificate (Original or Photocopy);
  2. Means of Identification (i.e International Passport, Drivers’ Licence or National Identity card);
  3. Proof of payment of Bar Practice fees (if paid offline);
  4. Proof of payment of Branch Dues (if paid offline); and
  5. Evidence of Change of Name (if any).

Menu Options Of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Online Payment Portal

Below is the list of menu options and their descriptions:

  1. Profile: This shows your information with NBA.
  2. ICLE: This shows your courses and points accrued, currently uploaded.
  3. Payments: This shows your online payment history and your status for Bar Practicing Fees, Verification and Stamp Requests.
  4. Bar Practicing Fees: This helps you compute your bar practicing fees for the current year and other previous years. This is also where you make payments for your practice fees.
  5. NBA Affinity Card: This helps you request your NBA affinity card.
  6. Insurance Cover: This helps you request insurance cover.
  7. Should you experience any challenge(s) in the use of the online payment portal, please send a mail to support@nigerianbar.org.ng
Dr. Leesi Ebenezer Mitee
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