At the close of the much-sought-after Early Bird window for the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBA AGC) scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, no less than 9,180 lawyers have registered for the annual fiesta.

Though the original Early Bird window was set to close on 28th February, 2025, the deadline was extended to March 31, 2025.

While 11, 728 delegates utilized the window to register in 2023, about 9099 delegates registered at the close of early bird in 2024, though the window was extended by one month for young lawyers.

According to a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the regular registration window for the AGC has now opened, even as the AGC Planning Committee (AGCPC) stated that it is awaiting the decision of the NBA National Executive Council (NBA-NEC) on the venue for the conference.

CITY LAWYER recalls that some lawyers have called for relocation of the AGC from Port Harcourt following the controversial imposition of State of Emergency on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. A recent NBA Emergency NEC Meeting resolved to allow the council “to conduct further consultations regarding the 2025 Annual General Conference scheduled to take place in Rivers State and report to NEC.”

Signed by the AGCPC Chairman, Dr. Emeka Obegolu SAN, the statement notes that “While we await the decision of the National Executive Committee of the NBA on the venue of the conference as mandated by NBA NEC, our assurance to conferees is that we are ready to make the 2025 NBA conference a very memorable experience wherever it holds.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

Early Bird Registration for the 2025 NBA Annual General Conference Now Closed – Secure Your Spot with Regular Rates Registration

31 March, 2025.

Distinguished Colleagues,

The 2025 NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee (AGCPC) extends its sincere gratitude to all our esteemed members who promptly seized the opportunity of the early bird registration for the upcoming 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC).

Your enthusiastic response and timely registration are deeply appreciated and demonstrate your commitment to the Nigerian Bar Association and its flagship event.

We also wish to acknowledge and sincerely apologize for the technical glitches experienced on our registration portal between yesterday and today. We understand the frustration and inconvenience this may have caused some of our members who to registered within the early bird window.

We have worked diligently to resolve these issues and can confirm that the portal is fully functional.

Distinguished Colleagues, you will recall that the initial deadline for the early bird window was 28th February 2025 but the AGC planning committee appealed to the National Executive Council and the NBA NEC graciously approved the extension to 31/3/25.

As at 11.59pm on the 31st of March 2025, a total of 9,180 participants registered within the early bird window. The breakdown is as follows:

1-9 years = 3652
10-19 years = 3549
20 years and above 1772
SAN, Benchers & AG’s = 176
Magistrates = 19
Senior lawyers 70 years and above & 40 years post call = 12
Grand Total = 9,180

While the early bird registration period has now closed, we strongly urge all members who are yet to register to take advantage of the regular registration window, which is currently open. The 2025 AGC promises to be an engaging and impactful event, featuring insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and Continuing Legal Education sessions designed to enhance your professional development.

While we await the decision of the National Executive Committee of the NBA on the venue of the conference as mandated by NBA NEC, our assurance to conferees is that we are ready to make the 2025 NBA conference a very memorable experience wherever it holds.

Please visit the official NBA website at [www.nigerianbar.org.ng/nbaagc.org to complete your registration during the regular registration period. We encourage you to register well in advance of the conference to avoid the rush associated with late/ onsite registration.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 2025 Annual General Conference.

Sincerely,

Chief Emeka Obegolu SAN, Ph.D.
2025 NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee (AGCPC)