The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has introduced a digital stamp and seal for legal practitioners, aimed at curbing the activities of fake lawyers and ensuring a seamless process for preparing and filing legal documents. The announcement was made by the NBA’s outgoing President, Yakubu Maikyau, during the unveiling ceremony in Abuja on Monday.
According to Maikyau, the traditional manual process of acquiring and applying stamps has become outdated, prone to forgery, and inefficient. To address these challenges, the NBA has integrated the digital stamp and seal into Microsoft Word, allowing legal practitioners to affix stamps directly within the document editing software.
“The NBA has always been at the forefront of upholding the highest standards of quality and integrity in the legal profession,” Maikyau said. “For years, the manual stamp and seal have been the symbol of authenticity — a mark that every legal document is backed by the expertise of a licensed professional. However, the times have changed. The world is digital, and so must we.”
Powered by advanced blockchain technology, the NBA Digital Stamp and Seal represents a significant innovation in the legal profession. One of its standout features is the NBA Digital Stamp and Seal Verification App, available on both Android and iOS platforms. This app allows the public to verify the authenticity of legal documents simply by scanning them with a smartphone.
The NBA General Secretary, Adeshina Adegbite, noted that the contract for deploying the virtual stamp and seal was signed on June 18, 2024. Adegbite assured that necessary safeguards have been implemented to ensure the system’s authenticity and protection, utilizing blockchain technology to secure the digital stamps against tampering.
This initiative marks a new era in the Nigerian legal landscape, as the NBA moves to embrace digital solutions that enhance the integrity and efficiency of legal practices in the country.
