NEWS RELEASE

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has unveiled the official logo for its eagerly awaited 2026 Annual Conference.

According to a statement by NBA-SPIDEL Chair, Prof. Uju Agomoh and Chairman of the 2026 Annual Conference Planning Committee (CPC), Sir Ejike Ezenwa (SAN), the logo reflects the focus of the conference on democratic accountability, access to justice and inclusive development.

The Annual Conference, which is the premier gathering of key stakeholders in the public interest and development sectors, will hold at the world-class International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State from November 10 to November 13, 2026.

The organizers have also unveiled substantial Early Bird discount for potential delegates and a repertoire of live issues to be dissected by leading activists and stakeholders. To register at the Early Bird rate, click on the following link: https://app.nbaspidel.ng/en/public/events/nba-spidel-2026-annual-conference

The statement noted that “The conference will provide a matchless platform for stakeholders in the public interest, democracy, and development sectors to brainstorm on live issues that are both topical and germane to the growth of the polity.”

They stated that “This flagship event brings together legal practitioners, jurists, policy makers, civil society actors, academics, and members of the public for four days of plenary sessions, panel discussions, and workshops examining the intersection of law, governance, and national development.

“Delegates will engage with leading voices on access to justice, democratic accountability, and inclusive development in Nigeria, alongside opportunities for networking, continuing legal education, and collective reflection on the Section’s public interest mandate.

“The conference will also provide a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and meaningful engagement on emerging issues in public interest law and practice.”

Beyond professional development and fun sideline activities, the conference is also expected to contribute to wider conversations on strengthening Nigeria’s judiciary, democratic and developmental practices, especially as the 2027 general election approaches.

Discussions at the conference will turn on challenges affecting access to justice, the rule of law, judicial independence, accountability, constitutional governance, developments and democratic participation, with a view to identifying practical approaches that can promote Nigeria’s democratic practices.

As a section of the Nigerian Bar Association dedicated to public interest and development law, NBA-SPIDEL continues to provide a platform for lawyers and other stakeholders to engage issues that affect society beyond individual legal disputes. The 2026 Annual Conference is expected to build on that tradition by bringing together diverse perspectives on how law can be used more effectively to protect public interest, strengthen democratic institutions, and promote national development.

Many stakeholders have lauded the choice of Umuahia as the venue for this year’s annual conference, given that the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti is viewed by many political analysts as one of the few political actors that have changed the face of democratic governance in Nigeria.

The NBA-SPIDEL is seen as the heartbeat of the association, moreso as its core objectives align squarely with NBA’s motto of “promoting the rule of law.”

There are strong indications that thousands of lawyers and other stakeholders will attend the annual conference, as it promises to be a roll-call of who-is-who in the legal profession, public interest and development sectors.

Aside from the substantial Early Bird discount that awaits potential delegates and the repertoire of live issues to be dissected by leading activists and stakeholders, the duo noted that delegates would have an opportunity to embark on a guided tour of some experiential tourist attractions in Abia State.

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