Nigerian Law Society Launches WhatsApp-Based Legal Aid to Support Poor Citizens

The Nigerian Law Society (NLS) has launched an innovative initiative to provide free legal services to indigent Nigerians through WhatsApp and other online platforms. The scheme, named the Virtual Legal Aid Initiative of Nigeria (VLAIN), aims to deliver legal support to citizens earning below the federal minimum wage of ₦70,000 per month.

The NLS revealed that beneficiaries of the program can receive virtual legal assistance within 72 hours of submitting a request. The announcement, sent in a letter to the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LAC) on March 11, 2026, marks a significant step toward expanding access to justice for millions of Nigerians previously unable to secure legal aid.

Dr Tonye Clinton Jaja, Executive Secretary of the NLS, explained that the program targets over 100 million Nigerians in its first six months, using a train-the-trainer model. The society plans to train 1.2 million paralegals and lawyers nationwide within a year, extending essential legal services to the majority of the population who cannot currently access them.

The NLS emphasized that gaps in existing legal aid provision necessitated the initiative. While the LAC offers free representation for criminal court cases, most Nigerians are excluded, particularly those facing issues in landlord-tenant disputes, debt recovery, and small business legal matters. The society also noted that the LAC Act of 2011 does not accommodate ICT-based legal aid, limiting reach and effectiveness.

Separately, the NLS notified the Court of Appeal of the expulsion of several legal practitioners involved in a lawsuit against the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), citing non-compliance with directives and conduct contrary to the society’s objectives. NLS clarified that it does not dispute with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and remains aligned with legal regulations recognizing the NBA as the sole bar association for litigation lawyers.