German Language in Nigerian Legal Practice: An Assessment of Competency Requirements for International Law Firms

This study assesses the German language competency requirements for Nigerian legal professionals employed in international law firms that handle German-speaking client mandates, with a focus on firms operating in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. The increasing internationalisation of commercial legal practice in Nigeria has expanded the range of foreign language competencies sought by leading law firms, and German, as the language of Europe's largest economy, represents a particular area of growing relevance. The study employs a qualitative research design, conducting semi-structured interviews with 15 senior lawyers and firm administrators at Lagos-based international law firms that service German or German-speaking corporate clients. The interviews explore German language use in practice, competency expectations for junior and senior associates, and the adequacy of existing legal German training provisions in Nigeria. Findings reveal that German language competency is most frequently required in contract translation, client meetings, due diligence documentation, and cross-border merger and acquisition transactions. Most firms report relying on external translators due to the limited in-house German language capacity. A growing minority of firms indicate that German proficiency is now explicitly listed as a preferred qualification in associate recruitment specifications. The study recommends the introduction of a Legal German module within Nigerian Bar training programmes. Keywords: German language, legal practice, international law firms, Lagos, competency requirements.