The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced that its next annual conference will take place in Port Harcourt — but only “if democratic institutions are restored.”
NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, made the statement on Wednesday, a day before the close of the 2025 annual conference in Enugu. The NBA is Nigeria’s professional body of lawyers, often regarded as a moral barometer of the nation.
Osigwe explained that the city of Port Harcourt had been earlier selected as host, but political uncertainty forced the association to reconsider. He said the decision was tied to the “need for stability and the restoration of democratic values.”
The president reminded delegates that the NBA has a duty beyond the courtroom. “The Bar must always stand where the law stands, and where the Constitution is respected,” he noted.
For many lawyers, the words resonated deeply. The association has often played a historic role in Nigeria’s struggles for justice and political accountability.
Enugu Conference Draws to a Close
This year’s gathering in Enugu brought together at least twenty thousand attendees, including lawyers, senior advocates, judges, and public officials. Panels discussed judicial reforms, insecurity, technology in justice delivery, and the rule of law.
The atmosphere in Enugu was both reflective and tense. Many attendees whispered about Nigeria’s fragile democracy and the role of institutions in holding the nation together.
One delegate said simply: “It is not just about law, it is about survival of our republic.”
As the curtains fall on the conference in the beautiful and serene city of Enugu, the spotlight will now shift to Port Harcourt — not just as a venue, but as a test of Nigeria’s political journey.
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