The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has announced an extensive programme of 12 technical sessions and an impressive roster of speakers for its highly anticipated 2025 Annual Conference scheduled to hold from December 1 to 5, 2025, at the Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Registration for the conference is currently open via: http://nbaspidel.ng/
The Opening Ceremony will feature keynote addresses from NBA-SPIDEL 2025 Conference Planning Committee Chair, Assoc. Prof. Uju Agomoh; NBA-SPIDEL Transition Chairman, Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN; NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN; Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi SAN, among other dignitaries.
The Keynote Session, chaired by Justice Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court, will feature a keynote address by renowned human rights advocate and former NHRC Chairman, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu. The address will be examined by Professor Stephen Shute, President of the International Penal and Penitentiary Foundation (IPPF), and respected senior lawyer, Mr. Jibrin Okutepa SAN. The session will precede the formal declaration of the conference open by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
Session Highlights
- Session 2: Public presentation of the National Legal Aid Strategy 2026–2036, jointly delivered by NBA-SPIDEL, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, PRAWA, and International IDEA.
- Session 3: Law, Governance & Development, featuring governors of Abia, Benue, Delta, and Rivers States; former House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal; and the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Jeddy Agba, as panelists.
- Session 4: Bridging Access to Justice Gap in Nigeria, with breakout sessions on state baseline reports on the National Legal Aid Strategy; technology and justice delivery; understanding the Remuneration Order (a special presentation by the NBA Remuneration Committee); and a session on the 365-day free subscription of meetsession for attendees.
- Session 5: Press Freedom and Cyber-Security Law in Nigeria, chaired by Justice Nwaoma Uwa of the Supreme Court, with Mr. Femi Falana SAN as Lead Speaker. Other discussants include Dr. Monday Ubani SAN, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, Justice Daketima Kio, and Hon. Luke Onofiok.
Another major session titled “Walking the Talk: Strengthening Public Interest Advocacy Through NBA-SPIDEL – A Peep into the Future” will have former NBA President Olumide Akpata as Lead Speaker. Discussants include Mr. Olumuyiwa Akinboro SAN, Mrs. Oyinkasola Badejo-Okusanya SAN, Mrs. Foluke Dada-Lawanson, Mr. Lateef Akangbe SAN, and Dr. Monday Ubani SAN.
Further sessions include:
- Tackling Corruption in the Nigerian Justice Sector, chaired by Chief Emeka Ngige SAN, featuring former Rivers Attorney-General Worgu Boms as Lead Speaker and special remarks by the ICPC Chairman.
- Building Public Trust in Democratic Governance: Electoral Justice and Political Accountability, chaired by former NBA President Augustine Alegeh SAN, with a Special Address by INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN.
Other technical session topics include:
- Public Interest, Accountability and Transparency: Securing the Banner
- Role of Zonal/Regional Development Commissions in National Development
- Nigeria’s Tax Reform Agenda: Financial Reprieve or Economic Repression?
High-profile participants expected include Senator Dino Melaye, Mr. Kenneth Okonkwo, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Mr. Kanayo O. Kanayo, and Dr. Reuben Abati.
The conference will also feature exhibitions, a private dinner, a closing party, the NBA-SPIDEL Annual General Meeting/Elections, and the swearing-in of newly elected officers.
NBA-SPIDEL promises a rich, engaging, and transformative conference experience for all attendees.
PLENARY 3: LWDF SET FOR A DEFINING CONVERSATION ON INCLUSION AT NBA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2025
