The 2025 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) commenced in Uyo on December 2 with a compelling keynote address by Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, who challenged the nation to confront its deepening crises of insecurity, institutional weakness, and political fragility.
Speaking to an audience of legal practitioners, policy leaders and public officials, Odinkalu commended SPIDEL’s renewed commitment to national transformation while warning that Nigeria’s “banner,” symbolizing truth and justice, faces unprecedented threats from rampant violence, declining governance, and eroding public trust. His address set the tone for a conference focused on redefining the role of the legal profession in restoring accountability, strengthening democratic legitimacy, and safeguarding Nigeria’s future.
