Thousands of legal practitioners, judicial officers, and international dignitaries assembled at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for the 66th Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBA-AGC 2026).
​Running from August 21 to August 28, 2026, the week-long summit convened under the official theme “Beyond Limits”, challenging legal professionals across West Africa to drive institutional reforms, protect democratic governance, and elevate professional ethics.
​The conference officially opened on Friday, August 21, with a solemn Jumma’at prayer service at the Central Mosque on Niger Street. The week’s agenda features major plenary sessions, section AGMs, and showcase events. The conference kicked off with prayers emphasizing moral integrity, accountability, and ethical duty.
Delegates participated in a health walk, community clean-up, and tree planting on Saturday, August 22, followed by the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and a welcome cocktail. The formal opening ceremony launched on Sunday Aug 23, the core business sessions and unlocked the legal exposition hub.
The Plenaries & President’s Dinner on Monday – Wednesday, Aug 26, will be highlighted by technical breakout sessions, the showcase plenary, and the flagship President’s Dinner on Tuesday, August 25.
Section AGMs & Handover on Thursday, Aug 27–Friday, Aug 28 Following section meetings and the main NBA Annual General Meeting on August 27, the event concludes on August 28 with a press address by outgoing President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and the official swearing-in of incoming President Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN.
​Key bar leaders and event spokespersons set the tone for the week’s proceedings: Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN (President, Nigerian Bar Association) emphasized that Nigeria must move “beyond limits” to convert its immense natural and human potential into active economic and social progress.
Abdul Mohammed, SAN (Chairman, Annual General Conference Planning Committee – AGCPC) highlighted that legal excellence must translate into societal impact, reminding lawyers that their professional calling carries a civic duty to serve communities and uphold rule-of-law principles.
Bridget Edokwe (National Publicity Secretary, NBA) Confirmed that the multi-day event will host substantive policy exchanges between political leaders, heads of public institutions, academic scholars, and corporate heads.
Tonye Krukrubo, SAN (Chairman, Local Organising Committee) reaffirmed the choice of Port Harcourt as host city, guaranteeing seamless hosting across all designated venues for the over 20,000 registered physical delegates.
