Enugu, the Coal City, has taken centre stage in Africa’s legal and democratic discourse as Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah formally declared open the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference with a resounding pledge to entrench justice sector reforms as the bedrock of his administration’s transformation agenda.
The week-long conference, which commenced on Sunday at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, has drawn thousands of delegates, including senior advocates of Nigeria, jurists, policymakers, business leaders, and international partners, making it one of the most influential gatherings of legal minds on the continent.
In his opening remarks, Governor Mbah described the law as “the conscience of the nation,” stressing that lawyers are not merely professionals but guardians of truth and equity. “As lawyers and leaders, we are not only courtroom advocates, but also defenders of truth, architects of peace, and champions of equity,” he said to thunderous applause from the audience.
The opening ceremony was chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Dr. Sa’ad Abubakar III, whose presence underlined the national significance of the event. The Sultan charged the legal profession to remain the moral compass of society while commending the NBA for choosing Enugu, which he described as a city renowned for peace, culture, and hospitality.
One of the high points of the night was the keynote address delivered by Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). With characteristic candour, he declared that Africa’s future lies in its burgeoning cities. “The future of Africa lies in cities like Lagos and Johannesburg,” Malema asserted, adding that Africa’s urban centres must become engines of prosperity anchored on justice, strong institutions, and inclusive governance. He warned that without justice and accountability, the continent’s demographic advantage could become a curse rather than a blessing. His message resonated deeply with Governor Mbah’s vision for Enugu, drawing parallels between local reforms and continental aspirations.
Governor Mbah seized the moment to highlight sweeping reforms already underway in Enugu’s justice sector. He reaffirmed his administration’s full implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary, a move aimed at strengthening independence and rebuilding public trust. He further showcased technological innovations such as the digitization of court processes, introduction of e-filing, real-time transcription, and virtual hearings – developments that have drastically reduced delays in litigation. To decongest courts, Mbah announced the expansion of the Enugu Multi-Door Courthouse to provide mediation and arbitration alternatives, while also broadening access to pro bono legal services for indigent citizens. He revealed that the ongoing review of obsolete laws in the state had enhanced gender justice and boosted the ease of doing business, aligning with his broader vision of positioning Enugu as a hub for investment and innovation.
This year’s NBA Annual General Conference, widely regarded as the largest assembly of lawyers in Africa, is being hosted in Enugu for the first time. The NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, lauded Governor Mbah for showing that “law can be an engine of development when driven by political will.” Legal scholars and analysts have praised Enugu’s rising profile, noting that its digitized courts and judicial autonomy could serve as a model for other states. Professor Ifeoma Nwafor, a constitutional law expert, observed: “Governor Mbah has shown that with vision and commitment, subnational governments can set national benchmarks in justice delivery.”
The presence of Julius Malema added a Pan-African dimension to the conference, reinforcing calls for stronger inter-African collaboration in governance, trade, and justice under frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Governor Mbah, in his closing remarks, embraced this vision: “Enugu is rising, and justice is at the heart of our journey. Lawyers must see themselves not only as interpreters of statutes but as builders of nations.”
The 2025 NBA Conference will feature plenary sessions on human rights, artificial intelligence in law practice, gender justice, business law in Africa’s emerging markets, and strengthening democratic institutions. With the participation of global legal experts and thought leaders, the Enugu conference is already being hailed as one of the most consequential in the NBA’s history.
Enugu’s hosting of the NBA 2025 Conference is not just symbolic but a reflection of the state’s growing influence in shaping national and continental conversations around justice, governance, and development. With the Sultan of Sokoto providing moral authority, Julius Malema delivering a Pan-African call to action, and Governor Mbah unveiling a bold reformist agenda, the conference is set to leave a lasting imprint on Nigeria’s legal and democratic trajectory.
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