NBA Annual General Conference 2025: Takeaways and the Malema Speech

Enugu, Enugu State - August 29, 2025

"We have introduced a rule of law. That never existed for centuries in this country [South Africa], especially under the apartheid regime, when the law was reduced into disrepute". – Nelson Mandela

The Coal City of Enugu became the heartbeat of Nigeria’s legal and political discourse as the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference 2025 convened some of the sharpest minds in law, governance, and advocacy. From the bustling plenary sessions to the corridors alive with debate, the conference was more than a legal gathering—it was a reflection of Nigeria’s struggles, aspirations, and the broader African questions, seeking answers.

The conference with the theme: “Stand Out, Stand Tall” - was officially declared open by the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah. Then a moment that set the tone for Africa’s future came with the keynote by Julius Malema, South Africa’s firebrand politician and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). 

In his trademark candor, Malema called on Africa to grow its destiny through synergy among African nations, without dependence on western powers and institutions or foreign monetary bodies. His words struck a chord with young lawyers, activists, and policymakers in attendance: an audacious call to reimagine an Africa that trades with itself, builds its own systems, support one another and strengthens governance without the leash of neo-colonial policies and financial dictates.

On the home front, NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), emphasized the role of the Bar not just as interpreters of law, but as custodians of justice and builders of national values. His declaration that “law must serve the people, not merely the elite” underscored a theme that echoed throughout the sessions. 

“Stand Out, Stand Tall”. Osigwe’s voice carried both invitation and challenges: “Standing tall means being unbending in our defence of the rule of law, equity and justice. We must have the courage of conviction in moments where silence will otherwise be more comfortable.” 

He enjoined the Bar, to have fresh resolve – making sure the legal profession in Nigeria should stand tall in rebuilding confidence in Nigerian institutions.

He transformed the conference theme, from mere decoration into a call to action. It was clear: the Bar must be more than a symbol of legal excellence; it must be a beacon of moral courage and principled leadership.

The Governor of Enugu State welcomed delegates with pride, describing the city as the new hub for intellectual and jurisprudential dialogue. He stressed that conferences such as this must translate into actionable policies that strengthen state institutions and deliver justice to the common man. He reinstates the state’s commitment to equity and effective legal system – he echoed to participants that his government has fully implemented Financial Autonomy in the Judiciary in line with section 121 sub 3 of the 1999 constitution as amended, which has enhanced the effective operation of courts in Enugu State.

He suggests the need to decongest our courts and proffer alternative dispute resolution mechanism – using Enugu as a model, with its Multi-door Court House which deals in commercial and family disputes. He concludes by saying that the state in partnership with Civil Society Organization (CSO) and Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has expanded access to the Pro-bono Legal System for indigent citizens and detainees. No one should be too poor to afford justice.

From the Bar to the throne, the chairman of the conference, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, reminded the legal community of its moral responsibility, urging lawyers to serve as bridges of peace and equity in a nation often fractured along ethnic and religious lines.

He cried out, that justice has become a purchasable commodity in Nigeria, where the poor are the victims and the rich walk the street free. He urged the judiciary to ensure that everyone including people in power are subject to the law and held responsible for their acts. He concludes that the law should be blind and fair to all and no one should be above the law.

The Legal Luminary Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) stressed that Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive without a truly independent judiciary, free from executive interference—a call that earned him applause and standing ovations. Reinventing the spirit of Fela’s song “Human Rights,” he underscored the urgency of institutional reforms.

Referencing the Chief of Defence Staff’s paper on national security, Ozekhome argued that the concept has long been misused—from colonial days to modern democracy—insisting that “National Security is a lie; it is Government Security, serving those in power, not the masses.” He warned that until citizens’ rights are respected and lawyers are allowed to practice without harassment, the struggle for justice will remain unending.

Urging the Bar to show more courage, he posed the question: “If you can’t fight for yourself, how can you fight for others?” He broadened the discussion to overlooked issues like emotional, mental, educational, financial, and job security, stressing that lawyers must “sit up, for they have been sitting too long.” He concluded with a call for the NBA-AGC to go beyond being an annual ritual, rather a platform for reform and rebuilding national systems.

Across panels and breakout sessions, Nigerian lawyers—both veterans and rising voices—echoed a consensus: the Bar must step beyond the courtroom into the arena of governance, shaping laws that reflect Nigeria’s realities, not borrowed foreign templates. Gabriel Adikwu of Elo-Hil Chambers, Yola, emphasized that the event’s theme reaffirms the NBA’s duty as the conscience of society. Echoing Julius Malema’s keynote, he stressed the role of lawyers in defending justice and equity in governance. He further highlighted Oby Ezekwesili’s charge to the Bar to rise against leadership failures that have plunged 133 million Nigerians into poverty, warning that lawyers must not cede their role to charlatans. 

Adikwu further raised alarm over the high incarceration of children, noting that Adamawa tops the list with 1,205 detained between 2018–2022. He urged NBA members nationwide to confront this injustice, ensuring government compliance with laws protecting children and young adults from adult detention facilities in accordance with section 13 and 35 of the Nigerian Correctional Services Act.

A Fresh Voice at the Bar, amid the sea of seasoned advocates and thought-provoking debates at the NBA-AGC, the presence of young lawyers brought a refreshing perspective to the gathering. One such participant, Joy Ugwu Moses of Chizoba Sandra Agbo and Associates Enugu, a first-time attendee, shared her experience with unfiltered excitement: "The NBA-AGC 2025 was both fascinating and adventurous. It gave me the chance to explore, connect with legal practitioners from within and outside Nigeria, and discover strategies to sharpen not only my practice but also my entrepreneurial skills. For me, it was more than just a conference—it was the beginning of a new voice of reasoning”.

The takeaways from Enugu were clear. First, Nigeria’s jurisprudence must evolve to confront the unique challenges of governance, corruption, and human rights. Second, the legal profession has to be the vanguard of economic justice—ensuring contracts, trade policies, and regulations serve the people rather than foreign interests. And third, Africa, as Malema stressed, must unite its intellectual, legal, and political capital to chart its independent course.

The NBA Conference 2025 in Enugu may well be remembered as a turning point—not only for Nigeria’s legal community but for its place in Africa’s collective struggle for self-determination. In the words of a senior lawyer at the event, “What happens in our courts will decide what happens in our country.”

By Mazi Uchenna Nwafor

+234 (0) 8036261140

Hicia News