Women leaders from the legal profession, public service and advocacy are sharing candid accounts of their professional journeys at the ongoing pre-conference workshop of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Annual Conference in Umuahia, Abia State.
The workshop, titled “Women in the Justice Sector: Lawyers’ Self-Help, Mentoring and Leadership Development”, is holding at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, as part of the pre-conference activities of the 2026 NBA-SPIDEL Conference.
Moderated by Senior Magistrate Ngozika Alo Ngele of the Ebonyi State Judiciary, the session has brought together experienced women whose careers span legal practice, public administration, academia, professional leadership and disability inclusion.
Rather than limiting the conversation to conventional advice on career development, the speakers are drawing from their personal experiences to explain what it takes for women to build successful careers, overcome institutional resistance and sustain leadership responsibilities.
STANDING FIRM IN THE FACE OF RESISTANCE
Former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih, reflected on her experience in politics, recalling that her entry into the political space came with name-calling and discouragement.
She explained that she refused to be deterred, choosing instead to stand her ground and remain firm in her convictions. According to her account, her persistence eventually earned the respect and commendation of male colleagues who acknowledged her courage.
Her contribution brought into focus the importance of conviction, resilience and the willingness to remain in spaces where women’s presence may initially be challenged.
Anenih further advised women who feel overlooked for deserved promotions not to remain overly gentle or wait to be recognised. She urged them to be courageous and bold, demonstrate their capabilities and deliberately make themselves visible, stressing that no one would come to their corner to discover them.
Citing NBA President Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, as an example of bold leadership, she also expressed deep admiration for Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, SAN, whom she described as courageous. She encouraged women to put themselves forward, speak up for their achievements and actively pursue the opportunities they deserve.
Anenih is a lawyer, former Minister of Women Affairs and a longstanding advocate for women’s rights, with decades of experience across legal, political and gender-development work.
SUCCESS, FAMILY AND THE DEMANDS OF LEADERSHIP
Professor Foluke Dada-Lawanson, former Second Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association and a member of the academic community at Caleb University, Lagos, spoke about the demands of building a career while managing family responsibilities.
She observed that women would be tested in the course of their professional journeys and urged them to remain alert, prepared and determined.
Reflecting on her own experience, she described balancing career and family as a difficult undertaking, but one that ultimately contributed to the path that led her to her present accomplishments.
Her message underscored the reality that professional advancement often requires difficult choices, discipline and the ability to navigate competing responsibilities.
INCLUSION MUST GO BEYOND POLICY.
A particularly important dimension of the discussion came from Patience N. Etumudon, Chairperson of the NBA Lawyers with Disabilities Forum.
She drew attention to the physical barriers confronting persons with disabilities, explaining that inaccessible environments can limit participation and professional opportunities.
She also highlighted communication and language barriers, pointing to challenges that may prevent persons with disabilities from accessing information, participating fully in professional spaces and receiving equal opportunities.
Her intervention reinforced the need for institutions to move beyond statements of inclusion and address the practical obstacles that affect access, participation and career progression.
Etumudon has been actively involved in disability inclusion advocacy through the NBA Lawyers with Disabilities Forum, including efforts to promote accessibility and equal participation within the legal profession.
A ROOM OF EXPERIENCE AND PRACTICAL LESSONS
The workshop also features Boma Alabi, SAN, former President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association; Ngozi Blessing Felix, Abia State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection; Hauwa’ila Mohammed, Chairperson of the NBA Women Forum; Emmanuela Azu, Regional Director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre; and Associate Professor Uju Agomoh, Chairperson of NBA-SPIDEL.
OPENING THE DOORS TO THE INNER BAR
Former President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Boma Alabi, SAN, reflected on her legal journey, disclosing that she began her legal practice in London and was called to the Bar in 1988.
Drawing a comparison between the Queen’s Counsel (QC) distinction in England and the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), she spoke about her determination to make the path to the Inner Bar more accessible to women. She explained that her observations of the process convinced her that professional merit and competence were not always the only considerations in the recognition and advancement of lawyers.
Alabi said she resolved to find her way into the Inner Bar and, more importantly, to ensure that the door remained open for other women to follow. Her ambition was not simply to attain the prestigious rank herself, but to help create opportunities for more women to earn the silk, in a profession where men have historically dominated the ranks of senior advocates.
She expressed her desire to see more women attain the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, emphasising the importance of opening doors and creating pathways for other women to rise within the legal profession.
Together, the resource persons bring perspectives from the Bench, Bar, government, academia and civil society to a discussion centred on mentorship, leadership pathways, work-life sustainability, institutional barriers and professional support networks.
The session forms part of the wider NBA-SPIDEL 2026 Annual Conference, themed “In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy and Development”, scheduled for November 9–13, 2026, in Umuahia.
LEGALLinkZ REPORTS
The conversation is a timely reminder that women’s professional success is rarely the product of ambition alone. It is often shaped by courage in the face of resistance, the ability to manage competing responsibilities, supportive professional networks and institutions willing to remove barriers to participation.
Legal practitioners, young lawyers, law students and other conference participants are encouraged to take advantage of the ongoing conference activities, engage the speakers and learn from the experiences being shared.
To register for the Annual Conference, click here: https://app.nbaspidel.ng/en/public/events/nba-spidel-2026-annual-conference
Venue: International Conference Centre (ICC), Umuahia, Abia State.
Conference dates: November 9–13, 2026.
Photos:
behind Games Village, Abuja
5A, CGH, Games Village, Abuja