In what has been described as a groundbreaking moment in the history of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, the State Lead, Ms. Hadiza Afegbua, on behalf of the Forum, led a distinguished delegation to the inaugural meeting of the NBAWF Gwagwalada Branch, marking the first-ever official visit by a State Lead to the newly inaugurated branch.
This symbolic and strategic visit signifies not only the growing footprint of the NBAWF across the FCT but also the Forum’s enduring commitment to fostering inclusion, mentorship, and professional development for female legal practitioners, especially in emerging and suburban branches.
The well-attended gathering saw the convergence of passionate female lawyers and senior legal practitioners, including notable figures such as ACE Hussaina Gambo of the Legal Department, EFCC; Oge Duruaku, Principal Partner at Oge Duruaku & Co.; Khafilat Yusuf, Principal Legal Officer at the Federal Ministry of Justice; Elizabeth Fakele, Saudat Yahaya Shuaibu, and a vibrant cohort of young legal professionals from the Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) Garki. Their presence further highlighted the collaborative spirit that the NBAWF embodies — one that bridges experience with youthful enthusiasm in the pursuit of a more empowered and inclusive Bar.
During the historic meeting, the NBA Gwagwalada Branch Exco, under the leadership of its Chairman, Clever Oliver Owor, proudly introduced the newly inaugurated NBAWF officers for the branch — a milestone that not only marked a new beginning for female lawyers in Gwagwalada but also placed the branch squarely on the map of active female legal representation within the NBA ecosystem.
In an uplifting and transformative announcement, Ms. Hadiza Afegbua unveiled the FCT Chapter’s plan to sponsor five young female lawyers from each NBAWF branch across the FCT to attend the much-anticipated NBAWF Annual General Conference scheduled for April 29–30th, 2025.
This sponsorship initiative is designed to break barriers by offering young women exposure to invaluable networking platforms, thought leadership sessions, and mentorship opportunities, further solidifying the Forum’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of female legal trailblazers.
To commemorate the occasion, the FCT Chapter presented the Gwagwalada Branch with a specially designed celebratory cake — a symbol of unity, growth, and sisterhood — while each member in attendance was gifted a distinctive NBAWF memorabilia pin-up, signifying shared identity and a collective mission to empower and uplift women within the legal space.
In her keynote remarks, Ms. Hadiza Afegbua emphasized the deeper meaning behind the visit, stating:
“This is not just a visit; it is a reaffirmation of our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every female lawyer in the FCT — regardless of where she practices — is given equal access to the tools, networks, mentorship, and opportunities she needs to thrive in the legal profession. The inauguration of the NBAWF Gwagwalada Branch is not only a reflection of the Forum’s growth but a clear signal that our work of inclusion and empowerment is far from over. We are here to ensure this momentum not only continues but accelerates.”
In response, Christy Oboh A., the dedicated member of the NBAWF Gwagwalada Branch speaking on behalf of the facilitator, conveyed heartfelt appreciation to the FCT leadership for the unprecedented show of support, stating:
“This engagement strengthens our resolve as female lawyers in Gwagwalada to fully engage with the Forum’s programs, advocacy initiatives, and developmental projects. The presence of the State Lead and her distinguished team today has ignited a sense of belonging and a renewed determination to advance the ideals of the NBAWF in our community.”
A Testament to Dynamic Leadership: The Impact of Ms. Hadiza Afegbua
Since assuming office as the NBAWF FCT State Lead, Ms. Hadiza Afegbua has demonstrated remarkable vision, energy, and strategy in steering the Forum to new heights. Under her capable leadership, the FCT Chapter has evolved into a model of structured engagement, empowerment initiatives, and social impact, with clear emphasis on inclusivity, capacity building, and mentorship for young and mid-career female lawyers.
Her administration has championed several pioneering initiatives, including:
- Structured outreach to underrepresented branches to foster grassroots participation.
- Empowerment-focused sponsorship programs that target young lawyers for conference participation and mentorship pairings.
- Capacity development seminars and workshops addressing contemporary legal practice challenges.
- Mentorship circles that bridge the knowledge gap between seasoned practitioners and emerging female lawyers.
- Active partnerships with public agencies and private firms to advocate for gender parity and equal professional advancement opportunities within the legal space.
Ms. Afegbua’s steady hand and empathetic approach have created an environment where women in the legal profession, especially in the FCT, are emboldened to take on leadership roles, pursue higher professional ambitions, and contribute meaningfully to the Bar and the broader society.
Her leadership philosophy, rooted in service, sisterhood, and selfless advocacy, has set a new benchmark for what dynamic and forward-thinking leadership within the NBAWF can achieve.
As the NBAWF FCT Chapter continues to expand its influence and impact, this historic visit to Gwagwalada will stand as a proud milestone — a testament to the Forum’s enduring commitment to unity, empowerment, and purposeful engagement for women in law across the Federal Capital Territory.
This impactful leadership at the FCT level is being executed under the visionary direction of Huwaila Muhammad Ibrahim, the National Chairperson of the NBA Women Forum, whose administration continues to set new standards in advancing the interests of women in the legal profession across Nigeria.
As the NBAWF community prepares for its Annual General Conference scheduled for April 29–30th, 2025, all members are warmly reminded to complete their registration to ensure full participation in this empowering and transformative gathering.
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