The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has announced Umuahia, the Abia State capital, as the venue for its eagerly awaited 2026 Annual Conference.

The signature event, which is the premier gathering of key stakeholders in the public interest and development sectors, will be held at the world-class International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State between November 10 -13, 2026.

According to a statement signed by NBA-SPIDEL Chair, Prof. Uju Agomoh and Conference Planning Committee (CPC) Chairman, Sir Ejike Ezenwa SAN, “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 noted that participants would have an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with leading legal practitioners, justices/judges, human rights activists, policymakers, and other stakeholders “while gaining deeper insights into the legal and institutional issues shaping Nigeria’s justice system,developmental and democratic ethos.

“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 provide an opportunity to examine 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.

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