The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced the theme and direction for its 2026 Annual General Conference, issuing a strong call to lawyers, policymakers, and citizens to move beyond complacency and actively contribute to nation building.
Speaking at a press briefing, the NBA leadership reflected on the association’s 2025 conference, which was initially scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt but was later moved to Enugu due to prevailing political developments. The conference was held under the theme “Stand Out, Stand Tall”, a deliberate call for legal practitioners and Nigerians at large to confront the country’s economic, security, and governance challenges with courage and innovation.
From “Stand Tall” to “Going Beyond Limits”
Building on last year’s message, the NBA has chosen “Going Beyond Limits” as the theme for the 2026 conference. While the theme may sound motivational, the Association emphasized that it reflects the harsh realities facing the nation.
Nigeria has witnessed alarming security challenges, including mass abductions of schoolchildren, rising terrorism and banditry, and growing international concern about the country’s stability. These developments, the NBA noted, demand that citizens move beyond comfort zones and adopt bold, preventive, and practical solutions.
The Association stressed that this is a call to action, especially for lawyers, who are partners in strengthening democracy, upholding the rule of law, and shaping public policy. Rather than remaining in constant complaint, Nigerians must contribute ideas, advocate reforms, and push leaders to act decisively.
Security: From Reaction to Prevention
One of the strongest points raised during the briefing was Nigeria’s reactive approach to insecurity. The NBA urged authorities to move beyond rescuing kidnapped victims after the fact and instead focus on preventive security strategies.
These include:
- Leveraging technology for crime detection and tracking
- Strengthening local intelligence gathering
- Creating secure and responsive reporting channels
- Eliminating ransom-driven crime incentives
- Ensuring reports to security agencies are taken seriously and acted upon promptly
The Association expressed concern over cases where families report missing persons only to be ignored by law enforcement, emphasizing that such failures erode public trust and endanger lives.
Judiciary Confidence and Reform
The NBA also addressed concerns about public confidence in the judiciary, noting that trust is the backbone of the legal profession. Encouragingly, recent reforms such as the publication of names of prospective judicial officers for public scrutiny were highlighted as positive steps.
However, the Association acknowledged that more needs to be done. Judicial appointments, it said, must be more objective, transparent, and merit-driven, while care must be taken to implement reforms thoughtfully to avoid unintended consequences.
2026 Conference Details and Financial Relief Measures
The NBA announced that the 2026 Annual General Conference will hold in Port Harcourt from August 26 to 29, 2026. In recognition of current economic challenges, the Association has approved:
- Retention of last year’s conference fees
- Increased efforts to secure sponsors and partners
- Stronger financial prudence to reduce the burden on members
- The conference planning committee, largely made up of experienced members from the previous year, has been tasked with delivering a better and more impactful event.
A Message to Government and Citizens
Beyond the conference, the NBA set an early tone for governance in the new year, urging leaders to move beyond assurances and demonstrate commitment through concrete actions. According to the Association, Nigerians have prayed enough; it is now time to take responsibility and use the grace, capacity, and institutions available to build a safer, stronger nation.
The NBA reaffirmed its readiness to engage with government agencies and announced plans to convene a security summit with relevant stakeholders, including security agencies and the Ministry of Defence, to explore law- and technology-driven solutions to insecurity.
Conclusion
As Nigeria confronts complex national challenges, the NBA insists that progress will only come when citizens, institutions, and leaders go beyond self-imposed limits. The 2026 conference is positioned not just as an annual gathering, but as a platform for ideas, advocacy, and collective responsibility.
In the words of the Association, “This is the year we must go beyond our limits to make for a better nation.”
