The Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) Annual General Conference (AGC) 2026 has opened in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with prominent legal practitioners, government officials, traditional rulers and other dignitaries calling for stronger judicial institutions, an independent judiciary and renewed commitment to the rule of law.
Held under the theme “Beyond Limits,” the conference brings together members of the legal profession to examine the challenges facing the justice system, democracy and national development, with particular emphasis on institutional strength, technology and the evolving role of lawyers.
Declaring the conference open, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, expressed appreciation to the outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe, for returning the conference to Port Harcourt following the restoration of democratic governance in the state. He assured participants of their safety and called for continued collaboration between the state government and the NBA in strengthening the rule of law.
Governor Fubara described the judiciary as more than a dispute-resolution institution, noting that courts serve as a refuge for ordinary citizens. He urged judges to exercise independence and courage in the discharge of their duties, stressing that public confidence in the judiciary depends on its ability to hold government and public officials accountable.
In his address, outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe, explained that Port Harcourt had initially been selected to host the 2025 AGC but that the conference was moved following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. He said the NBA had promised to return once democratic governance was restored.
Reflecting on the theme, Osigwe expressed concern over Nigeria’s failure to fully realise its potential decades after independence, identifying tribalism and parochialism as some of the factors undermining national progress. He, however, maintained that the country still possesses the capacity to achieve the aspirations of its founders.
He urged lawyers to move beyond criticism and offer constructive solutions to national challenges, emphasising the profession’s responsibility to promote justice and ensure that the rule of law remains the foundation of society.
Delivering the keynote address, former President of Liberia, George Weah, described “Beyond Limits” as more than a conference theme, but a principle of action. He emphasised the importance of an independent judiciary and a fearless legal profession in sustaining democracy.
Weah warned that threats to democracy extend beyond military coups or refusal by defeated leaders to relinquish power, noting that democratic institutions can also be weakened when judicial institutions are compromised or prevented from performing their constitutional functions. He stressed that democracy requires strong institutions rather than dependence on powerful individuals, while identifying corruption, manipulation of public resources and pressure on judges as threats to democratic governance.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, represented at the conference by the Chief Judge of Nigeria, described the theme as an invitation to examine the boundaries within which the legal profession operates. She highlighted the growing impact of technology and artificial intelligence on legal practice, judicial administration and legal research.
She disclosed that the Supreme Court had introduced new procedures aimed at modernising the administration of justice and expressed hope that other courts would follow suit. She also reiterated the need for judicial independence, ethical conduct and a justice system that remains responsive to the experience of citizens who seek redress before the courts.
The Shehu of Borno, in his goodwill message, highlighted the importance of the legal profession to traditional institutions and national development. He charged the NBA with contributing to the strengthening of critical institutions while protecting the rights of citizens and ensuring that the law provides fair and effective protection for vulnerable persons.
President of the Uganda Law Society, Isaac Semakade, also emphasised the importance of individual rights, dignity and fair hearing, stressing that persons accused of wrongdoing must be afforded the right to dignity and defence.
Representing the Chief of Army Staff, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Maj. Gen. Everest Okoro, said the conference theme reflected the courage and determination required to build a more secure Nigeria. He noted that national security extends beyond military operations to include the rule of law, justice and protection of human rights, assuring that the Nigerian Army would continue to collaborate with the bar, bench and other institutions.
The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, in his goodwill message, urged the incoming NBA administration to surpass the achievements of its predecessors. He also encouraged the legal profession to embrace technological advancement, particularly as artificial intelligence continues to transform the practice of law.
The NBA AGC 2026 is expected to feature a wide range of discussions and engagements addressing the future of the legal profession, judicial reform, technology, democracy, human rights and the broader role of lawyers in national development.