August 25, 2025 — Enugu has come alive as more than 20,000 legal practitioners, including high-profile figures such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo and South African opposition leader Julius Malema, gather for the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference.
The week-long event, themed “Strengthening Democracy and Rule of Law in Africa,” kicked off on Sunday, attracting lawyers, judges, academics, and policymakers from across the continent. Organisers said the conference aims to interrogate critical issues affecting governance, human rights, and justice delivery in Africa.
Former President Obasanjo is expected to deliver a keynote address focusing on Africa’s democratic journey, while Malema will lead discussions on youth participation in politics and the future of constitutionalism on the continent.
NBA President Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) said the gathering demonstrates the association’s role as a major stakeholder in shaping Nigeria’s democratic institutions and influencing broader African governance debates.
Beyond the plenary sessions, the conference will feature networking events, exhibitions, and capacity-building workshops, with Enugu emerging as a hub for legal minds and policy influencers.
Security has been heightened around the conference venues as dignitaries, including state governors, ministers, and representatives of international organisations, are expected to participate.
The NBA described the turnout as the largest in its history, underscoring the growing global relevance of Nigeria’s legal community.
