The 2026 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bwari Branch, commenced with a thought-provoking opening ceremony that brought together legal practitioners and stakeholders to reflect on the pressing issue of leadership in Nigeria. Themed “The Leadership Challenge in Nigeria: The Way Forward, Beyond Rhetoric,” the event set a reflective tone for discussions centered on the role of the legal profession in shaping national progress and institutional integrity.
Delivering remarks at the ceremony, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, Past Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, emphasized the urgent need for a shift from mere rhetoric to deliberate, value-driven leadership. He noted that lawyers, as custodians of justice, bear a critical responsibility not only to uphold the rule of law but also to champion integrity, competence, and accountability within Nigeria’s institutions. According to him, getting leadership right remains fundamental to strengthening the profession’s capacity to demand accountability and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Akangbe further urged members of the Bar to remain intentional about the choices they make, particularly as the NBA approaches a pivotal period in its evolution. He stressed that the collective commitment of legal practitioners to uphold strong values will play a decisive role in determining the future of both the association and the nation at large.
Read full statement below;
OPENING CEREMONY OF NBA BWARI LAW WEEK
I had the privilege of joining my colleagues at the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Law Week of the Bwari Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association.
The theme, “The Leadership Challenge in Nigeria: The Way Forward, Beyond Rhetoric,” speaks directly to the realities we face as a nation and as a profession. In my speech, I reiterated my firm belief that we must move beyond conversations and begin to take deliberate, value-driven steps toward building the kind of leadership our institutions require.
As lawyers, we are custodians of justice and key stakeholders in nation building. This responsibility places a duty on us not only to uphold the rule of law but also to ensure that our institutions are guided by integrity, competence, and accountability.
I emphasized that getting leadership right is fundamental. When we do so, we strengthen our ability to demand accountability, uphold standards, and contribute meaningfully to the progress of both the Bar and the nation.
As we approach a defining moment in the life of the Nigerian Bar Association, I believe we must remain intentional about the choices we make and the values we uphold.
Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe SAN
Past Chairman, NBA Lagos Branch
