The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has cautioned members of the legal profession against actions that could undermine the integrity of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title, stressing that the distinction must not be diluted or misrepresented.
According to the committee, the SAN designation remains the apex professional honour available to lawyers in Nigeria and is conferred strictly in line with the Legal Practitioners Act and the regulatory framework issued by the LPPC.
The warning was conveyed in a statement released on Thursday, the 12th of February, 2026, in Abuja, following reports about the emergence and usage of a title referred to as “Blue Silk” by certain practitioners, purportedly as an alternative to the traditional silk reserved for SAN awardees.
The statement was signed by Mr. Kabir Eniola Akanbi, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary of the LPPC. He made it clear that any such designation lacks legal foundation and is not recognised by the committee or any authority established under the Legal Practitioners Act.
Part of the statement read: “The attention of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has been drawn to the introduction and recent use of the purported title or designation referred to as ‘Blue Silk’ within certain quarters of the legal community.
“The LPPC is a statutory body established under the Legal Practitioners Act and is solely vested with the responsibility of conferring the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
“The rank of SAN remains the highest mark of professional distinction for legal practitioners in Nigeria and is awarded strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act and the guidelines issued by the LPPC.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the LPPC does not recognise any parallel, intermediate, or alternative rank styled as ‘Blue Silk’ or by any other nomenclature purporting to suggest official status, hierarchy, or recognition within the legal profession.
“The introduction, conferment, or use of such a title has no statutory backing and does not emanate from the LPPC or any authority recognised under the Legal Practitioners Act.
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“Members of the legal profession and the general public are hereby advised to take note.
“The LPPC views the actions of legal practitioners involved in the establishment of such purported ranks, as well as individuals who present or parade themselves as ‘Blue Silks,’ as conduct that may amount to violations of the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023.
“At its meeting held on 12th February 2026, the LPPC resolved to take appropriate steps in line with its statutory mandate to preserve the integrity of the legal profession and the sanctity of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
“The LPPC remains firmly committed to upholding the integrity, prestige, and exclusivity of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and will continue to discharge its responsibilities strictly in accordance with the law,” the statement said.