NBA IN LANDMARK N120M UNICEF PARTNERSHIP TO PROTECT CHILDREN

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has secured a major institutional partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the implementation of a nationwide Justice for Children and Young People programme valued at ₦120 million, in a landmark achievement that underscores the Association’s renewed institutional credibility and growing influence under the leadership of NBA President, Mr. Afam Osigwe, SAN.

The institutional contract, which runs from 9 July 2026 to 30 March 2027, marks the return of a significant international development partnership with the NBA after years of limited donor-funded institutional engagement.

The partnership represents a defining milestone for the current administration, reflecting its success in rebuilding the confidence of international development partners in the NBA.

Following the conclusion of the Association’s long-standing support from the MacArthur Foundation, many believed that restoring large-scale institutional collaborations would be a significant challenge.

The new partnership with UNICEF signals a strong vote of confidence in the NBA’s capacity to deliver impactful national programmes and reinforces the Association’s position as a trusted stakeholder in justice sector reform.

Under the agreement, the NBA will spearhead a comprehensive national programme aimed at strengthening access to justice for children and young people through policy engagement, nationwide capacity building for lawyers, expansion of pro bono legal representation, quality assurance and mentoring, community awareness campaigns, and initiatives that amplify children’s participation in justice processes.

The programme also provides for the establishment of structured legal aid mechanisms, advocacy for child-friendly justice reforms, diversion programmes, monitoring and evaluation systems, and the training and certification of more than 7,000 lawyers across the country.

Expected outcomes of the initiative include improved access to timely legal representation for children and young persons, increased adoption of diversion and non-custodial measures, reduced detention of children, stronger legal aid systems nationwide, and the development of sustainable policy frameworks that promote child rights and child-sensitive justice administration in Nigeria.

Beyond its financial value, the partnership represents a significant institutional milestone for the NBA. It reflects an administration committed not only to defending the rule of law but also to building strategic alliances that deliver measurable social impact.

By restoring the confidence of international development partners and attracting substantial programme funding, the NBA has reaffirmed its position as a leading voice for justice, human rights, and sustainable legal reform in Nigeria.