Renowned Nigerian legal practitioner and former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joyce Oduah, FICMC, has been elected the Secretary General of the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) at the Union’s 15th Annual Conference and Triennial General Assembly, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Her election marks a historic milestone, not only for Nigeria but for the West African legal community and the broader Pan-African legal landscape.
She succeeds in this role following her impactful tenure as Vice President (West Africa) of PALU from 2020 to 2025.
The 2025 PALU General Assembly, themed “Justice Through Reparations: Strengthening Solidarity and Legal Action for Africa’s Recovery,” attracted over 1,000 legal professionals from across Africa and the diaspora, along with representatives of civil society, academia, and international development partners.
In her new role as Secretary General, Joyce Oduah will steer the continent’s premier association of African lawyers, bar associations, and law societies, leading PALU’s mission to promote the rule of law, human rights, economic integration, and Pan-African legal reform.
Speaking shortly after her confirmation, Oduah stated:
This moment is a reaffirmation of our collective belief in Africa’s legal transformation. As Secretary General, I am committed to strengthening PALU as a platform for African lawyers to shape justice systems that truly serve our people — with courage, collaboration, and continental vision.”
Known for her passionate advocacy, institutional reform work, and decades of service to the legal profession, Oduah brings a wealth of experience to the role.
She currently serves as the Principal Partner of Joyce & Okey Oduah LP, a Nigerian law firm known for its commitment to public interest litigation, corporate law, and strategic legal advisory.
The election of a West African woman lawyer to this top continental position has been widely applauded as both a gender milestone and a statement of confidence in her unwavering leadership style.
PALU, headquartered in Arusha, Tanzania, plays a crucial role in shaping continental legal policy, representing African lawyers in regional and international fora, and advancing justice, governance, and human rights across Africa.
