The Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has urged lawyers across the country to extend their professional responsibilities beyond courtroom advocacy by actively confronting injustice, abuse of power, human rights violations and institutional failures.
The chairperson made the call in a welcome address at the 2026 NBA-SPIDEL Annual International Conference held in Umuahia, Abia State, with the theme, “In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy and Development.”
Addressing judges, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, legal practitioners, government officials, development partners, academics and civil society representatives, the chairperson said the legal profession had a responsibility to protect human dignity, defend fundamental rights and promote accountability in public institutions.
The chairperson maintained that the law should serve the interests of ordinary citizens rather than remain a collection of rules and procedures.
Public interest law, the address noted, provides an avenue for lawyers to challenge systemic injustice, hold those in positions of authority accountable and ensure that vulnerable and marginalised members of society enjoy the protection of the law.
The chairperson also said legal practitioners should contribute to public policy discussions, institutional reforms and efforts to strengthen democratic governance.
Expressing concern over Nigeria’s challenges, the NBA-SPIDEL leader listed insecurity, poverty, inequality, human rights violations, limited access to justice, weak institutional accountability and declining public confidence in governance among issues requiring urgent attention.
The chairperson urged lawyers to examine whether existing laws and democratic institutions were delivering meaningful protection and justice to Nigerians.
The address challenged members of the profession to look beyond the existence of laws and institutions and assess their actual impact on citizens.
It stressed that lawyers must be prepared to question injustice wherever it occurs, support reforms that strengthen public institutions and deploy their professional knowledge and influence to improve society.
Young lawyers urged to embrace public interest law
The chairperson described the conference as an opportunity for critical reflection, constructive engagement and the development of practical solutions to challenges affecting justice, democracy and national development.
Participants were expected to examine the contribution of the legal profession to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting the rule of law, expanding access to justice, protecting human rights and advancing inclusive development.
Young lawyers, law students, academics, policymakers and civil society representatives were particularly encouraged to participate actively in the discussions.
The chairperson said the future of public interest law depended on a new generation of ethical, courageous and committed practitioners who understood that the value of the law lay in its ability to serve humanity.
The address further urged participants to ensure that the conference produced practical outcomes rather than ending with speeches and resolutions without measurable impact.
It called for proposals capable of influencing public policies, institutional reforms, strategic partnerships and interventions to address identified societal problems.
Osinbajo, other speakers acknowledged
The NBA-SPIDEL chairperson expressed appreciation to the Abia State Government and Governor Alex Otti for co-hosting the conference and providing headline sponsorship.
Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, was also commended for accepting to deliver the keynote address.
Other personalities acknowledged included Professor Pat Utomi, founder of the Centre for Values and Leadership; Lisa Henry, Secretary-General of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims; and Dr Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought and Dean of the Ave Maria University Law School.
Justice L.T.C. Eruba of the Abia State Judiciary was recognised for chairing the keynote session.
The chairperson also appreciated NBA President, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, and the association’s national leadership for their support and contributions to the conference.
The Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, SAN, as well as development partners, sponsors, speakers and members of the conference planning and local organising committees, were also acknowledged.
The chairperson expressed confidence that the discussions would renew the commitment of legal practitioners to justice, democratic accountability and sustainable development in Nigeria and across Africa.
Participants were urged to leave the conference with concrete commitments to make the law more responsive to the needs of society and improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
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