Legal professionals, government officials and prominent African figures have converged in Port Harcourt for the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference, with calls for stronger institutions, judicial independence and greater respect for the rule of law.
The conference, themed “Beyond Limits,” was declared open by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who welcomed the NBA back to the state following the lifting of the state of emergency.
Fubara thanked the outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe, for bringing the conference to Port Harcourt and assured participants of their safety throughout the event.
The governor stressed that courts must serve as a place where ordinary Nigerians can seek justice, rather than merely functioning as venues for settling disputes.
He also urged judges to consider the wider effects of their decisions on society and remain independent enough to hold public officials accountable.
Fubara said his administration was prepared to work with the NBA to strengthen the rule of law and judicial institutions in Rivers State.
NBA President Calls For National Renewal
Osigwe explained that Port Harcourt had initially been selected to host the 2025 conference, but the NBA moved the event because of the state of emergency and the appointment of a sole administrator.
He said the association had promised to return once democratic governance was restored.
Speaking on the conference theme, Osigwe expressed concern over Nigeria’s failure to fully realise its potential decades after independence.
He pointed to tribalism and narrow interests as some of the challenges weakening national unity, while urging lawyers to move beyond criticism and offer practical solutions to government.
Weah Warns Against Weak Institutions
Former Liberian President George Weah, who delivered the keynote address, said democracy could not survive simply because elections were held.
He argued that democratic governance must be protected every day through strong institutions, an independent judiciary and respect for citizens’ rights.
Weah warned that threats to democracy could also come from elected governments that weaken judicial institutions, pressure judges or manipulate public institutions.
According to him, the rule of law should ensure that citizens’ rights are protected regardless of who occupies political office.
Technology Changing Legal Practice
Representing the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Chief Judge Kudirat Kekere-Ekun highlighted the growing impact of technology and artificial intelligence on the legal profession.
She said the judiciary must continually examine existing limitations while maintaining judicial independence and ethical standards.
She also disclosed that the Supreme Court had introduced new procedures aimed at modernising the administration of justice, expressing hope that other courts would follow suit.
Other speakers, including the Shehu of Borno and representatives of the Nigerian Army and Uganda Law Society, also emphasised the importance of human rights, access to justice and institutional independence.
The conference is expected to provide a platform for lawyers and other stakeholders to discuss Nigeria’s legal, democratic and institutional challenges while exploring ways to modernise the profession in an era increasingly shaped by technology and AI.
