The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Annual Conference has unveiled expansive 12 technical sessions for its eagerly awaited Annual Conference holding in Uyo.

The Annual Conference is scheduled to hold from December 1 to December 5, 2025, at the prestigious Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. To register, click here http://nbaspidel.ng/.

The Opening Ceremony will be headlined by addresses from NBA-SPIDEL 2025 Conference Planning Committee (CPC) Chair, Assoc. Prof. Uju Agomoh; NBA-SPIDEL Transition Chairman, Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN; NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN; Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and Attorney-General & Minister for Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi SAN, among others.

The keynote session is to be chaired by Justice Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court. The Keynote Adress will be delivered by outspoken human rights activist and former Chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu. The keynote address will be dissected by Professor Stephen Shute, a professor of Criminal Justice and President of the International Penal and Penitentiary Foundation (IPPF) as well as fiery senior lawyer, Mr. Jibrin Okutepa SAN. This will set the stage for the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to formally declare the annual conference open.

Session 2 will witness public presentation of the National Legal Aid Strategy 2026-2036 by the NBA/SPIDEL, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Prisoners Rehabilitation & Welfare Action (PRAWA) and International IDEA.

Session 3 has “Law, Governance, & Development” as its sub-theme, with the governors of Abia State, Benue State, Delta State, and Rivers State as well as former House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and the Solicitor General of the Federation Jeddy Agba expected as panelists.

“Bridging Access to Justice Gap in Nigeria” is the sub-theme for Session 4. Breakout sessions will tackle Baseline Reports from States on Implementation of the National Legal Aid Strategy 2026–2036); Data, Technology and Justice Delivery – Status, Challenges & Prospects; Understanding the Remuneration Order: A special presentation by the NBA Remuneration Committee as well as a presentation on the 365 days free subscription of meetsession & technical support for registered attendees.

Session 5 will dwell on “Press Freedom and Cyber-Security Law in Nigeria: Bridging the Justice Gaps,” with Justice Nwaoma Uwa of the Supreme Court as Chairman and leading human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN as Lead Speaker. Discussants include Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN; Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, SAN; Mr. Deji Adejanju, Justice Daketima Kio and Hon. Luke Onofiok, among others.

While former NBA President Olumide Akpata is the Lead Speaker for the topic, “Walking the Talk: Strengthening Public Interest Advocacy Through the NBA-SPIDEL – A Peep into the Future,” the discussants include Mr. Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN; Mrs. Oyinkasola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN; Mrs. Foluke Dada-Lawanson; Mr. Lateef Akangbe, SAN and Dr. Monday Ubani SAN.

The session on “Tackling corruption in the Nigerian justice sector: the role of the Bar” has respected Bar Leader and Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN as chairman, with former Rivers State Attorney-General Worgu Boms as Lead Speaker. Aside from ICPC Chairman who will deliver an address, other panelists have been lined up for the session.

The session on “Building Public Trust in Democratic Governance: Electoral Justice, Political Accountability Post-2023 electoral lessons and Pre 2027 reforms” will be chaired by former NBA President Augustine Alegeh SAN while INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN will deliver a Special Address.

The topics for the technical sessions include “Public Interest, Accountability and Transparency: Securing the banner;” “The Role of Zonal/Regional Development Commissions to National Development: Impacts, Challenges & Prospects,” and “Nigeria’s tax reform agenda: financial reprieve or economic repression?”

Also expected at the conference are Senator Dino Melaye, Mr. Kenneth Okonkwo, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Mr. Kanayo O. Kanayo and Dr. Reuben Abati.

Aside from exhibition and sundry fun activities, the annual conference will also witness an invitation-only Dinner, a Closing Party, the NBA-SPIDEL Annual General Meeting/Election of Officers as well as swearing-in of elected officers.

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