Candidate for the office of National Welfare Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Audrey Chinelo Ofoegbunam, has commended the leadership of the 32nd NBA administration for what she described as a landmark step towards an inclusive legal profession with the adoption and implementation of the NBA Disability Inclusion Policy.
In a statement, Ofoegbunam praised the administration of NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and the National Executive Council (NEC) for approving the policy during its meeting in Awka on May 7, 2026, describing the decision as a defining moment in the history of the legal profession in Africa.
She noted that the policy has positioned the Nigerian Bar Association as the first Bar Association in Africa to adopt a comprehensive disability inclusion framework for legal practitioners, reflecting the Association’s commitment to equality, dignity, accessibility and justice.
According to her, the policy will significantly improve the welfare of lawyers at every stage of their careers by guaranteeing reasonable accommodation, accessible infrastructure and equal opportunities for young lawyers and law students entering the profession.
She further observed that the framework provides practical measures for mid-career and senior legal practitioners through accessible physical and digital spaces, inclusive participation in leadership, professional development opportunities and improved communication systems.
Ofoegbunam added that the policy institutionalises non-discrimination, disability awareness, accountability and equal participation within the Bar, shifting the focus from sympathy to enforceable rights and ensuring that every lawyer can contribute meaningfully regardless of disability.
She stated that the policy is firmly rooted in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), reinforcing the NBA’s commitment to protecting the dignity and rights of all its members.
Congratulating the NBA leadership, the NBA Lawyers with Disabilities Forum and all stakeholders who contributed to the achievement, Ofoegbunam described the development as “welfare in action”, saying it demonstrates that the welfare of lawyers must be inclusive, practical and accessible to every member of the Association.
News Source: Legallinkz.com
