Nigerian Law Society launches free legal aid Nigeria initiative via WhatsApp and online platforms for citizens earning below ₦70,000

The Nigerian Law Society, NLS, has unveiled a pro bono legal services initiative to support indigent Nigerians via WhatsApp and other online platforms.

The Virtual Legal Aid Initiative of Nigeria, VLAIN, allows citizens earning below the federal minimum wage of ₦70,000 to request legal assistance online, with a response promised within 72 hours.

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The initiative was formally announced in a letter dated 11 March 2026 from NLS Executive Secretary, Dr Tonye Clinton Jaja, to the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, LAC.

“The definition of indigent is anyone on a salary below the current Federal Government minimum wage of ₦70,000 per month,” the letter stated, clarifying eligibility for the service.

The NLS said VLAIN aims to reach 100 million Nigerians within six months through a train-the-trainers model, starting with 100,000 paralegals and lawyers who will train another batch of 100,000 within one month.

Over one year, the society intends to train 1.2 million legal professionals nationwide to provide essential legal aid, particularly for cases not covered by the LAC.

According to the society, gaps in existing legal aid provision motivated the project. The Legal Aid Council primarily serves defendants in criminal trials and relies on physical, face-to-face consultations.

This leaves over 70 per cent of Nigerians without access to legal assistance, including those involved in landlord-tenant disputes, debt recovery, and small and medium enterprises.

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The NLS also addressed internal legal disputes, notifying the Court of Appeal of the expulsion of certain legal practitioners for refusing to withdraw a lawsuit against the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The society emphasised that it maintains no conflict with the Nigerian Bar Association and adheres to the Legal Practitioners Act, recognising the NBA as the official bar association for litigation lawyers.