Over the past few days, a number of my lawyer and non-lawyer friends have called or sent me messages asking for my thoughts on the ongoing developments surrounding the presidential election of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Their questions have prompted me to reflect, not only on the election itself, but also on what this moment says about our profession and the future of our Association.
Politics is an inevitable part of every democratic institution, including a professional body like the NBA. Differences of opinion, competing visions, and healthy debates are signs of a vibrant association. Unfortunately, what should have been an opportunity to showcase ideas, leadership, and vision has increasingly degenerated into accusations and counter-accusations among candidates and their supporters.
Regrettably, we have begun laundering our dirty linen in public.
The conversation has gradually shifted away from what truly matters. Rather than interrogating the leadership qualities, competence, integrity, experience, and vision of the candidates, discussions have become centred on sectional affiliations, assumed political lineages, gender, endorsements, veiled insults, and personality contests.
Frankly, this is a distraction.
It is disappointing that an election which ought to project the very best of the legal profession is, in some respects, beginning to resemble the very brand of politics many lawyers routinely criticise in the wider society.
I recently learnt that, perhaps in response to concerns expressed by some members regarding the credibility of the electoral process, the NBA has invited organisations such as the European Union, the United States Mission, the United Kingdom Mission, Yiaga Africa, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), and other independent observers to observe the election.
When I mentioned this development to a non-lawyer friend, he responded rather bluntly:
“Apologies in advance for saying this. Can anyone believe that the highly esteemed NBA cannot organise its own elections? I cry for us Nigerians.”
Whether one agrees with that sentiment or not, it should give us pause for thought.
The Nigerian Bar Association remains one of the most respected professional associations on the African continent. Its membership comprises Senior Advocates of Nigeria, judges, legislators, academics, public officers, corporate advisers, and some of the brightest legal minds anywhere in the world.
It should be our collective aspiration that the Association conducts elections that command such confidence, transparency, and credibility that external observation becomes reassuring rather than necessary. That would not only strengthen public confidence in the NBA but also reinforce our moral authority whenever we advocate for credible electoral processes in our country.
Over the past few days, I also watched the manifesto presentations of the three presidential candidates.
Each candidate demonstrated intelligence, eloquence, confidence, passion, and a deep understanding of many of the issues confronting the legal profession. They all possess qualities that commend them for leadership.
Yet, after listening carefully, I found myself asking one simple question:
What truly distinguishes one vision from another?
During a brilliantly organised manifesto session anchored by ace comedian and lawyer, Timi Agbaje, one question particularly resonated with me:
“How would you like to be remembered after your tenure?”
In my view, that is perhaps the most important question every aspirant should answer—not merely with inspiring speeches, but with courageous, practical, innovative, and measurable ideas.
Much of the discussion revolved around improving the welfare of young lawyers, providing free electronic law libraries, subsidising Continuing Legal Education, enhancing access to justice, raising more funds for the Association, and reducing the cost of attending the Annual General Conference.
These are all commendable objectives.
However, they are largely familiar promises that have featured in previous manifestoes.
The legal profession today demands something audacious.
Take, for example, the frequently repeated promise of improving the welfare of young lawyers.
The obvious question is: How?
Far too often, the conversation centres on reliefs and palliatives.
While temporary support certainly has its place, welfare alone cannot transform a profession.
The greatest welfare any professional association can provide is opportunity.
Opportunities create careers.
Careers build competence.
Competence creates prosperity.
Prosperity ultimately improves welfare.
What many young lawyers desperately need today is not simply relief. They need opportunities. They need capacity. They need exposure. They need meaningful mentorship. They need sustainable career pathways. The same is true for many mid-career lawyers who are seeking new opportunities, greater specialisation, and relevance in an increasingly global legal marketplace.
A modern NBA should aspire to become far more than an association that organises conferences, provides Continuing Legal Education programmes, and offers occasional benefits to members.
It should become a career development institution, a catalyst for legal innovation, a leadership academy, a professional development hub, a champion of workplace rights, and a powerful voice for access to justice and law reform.
Imagine an NBA whose manifesto commits to initiatives such as:
- Career Development and Employment
Establishing a National NBA Career Centre and Digital Job Portal; negotiating structured recruitment partnerships with government institutions, multinational corporations, financial institutions, NGOs, and international organisations; facilitating internships and placements for newly called lawyers; and creating pathways for remote legal work and international employment opportunities.
- A Structured National Mentorship Programme
Moving beyond informal mentorship by creating a structured mentorship programme that pairs experienced practitioners with young lawyers over a defined period, with measurable outcomes, leadership coaching, career guidance, networking opportunities, and where appropriate, paid fellowship opportunities.
- International Mobility for Nigerian Lawyers
Negotiating collaborative arrangements with foreign bar associations and law societies to facilitate exchange programmes, reciprocal internships, secondments, international legal placements, mutual recognition initiatives, and clearer pathways for Nigerian lawyers seeking cross-border practice opportunities.
- Legal Innovation and Artificial Intelligence
Preparing Nigerian lawyers for the future through investment in LegalTech, Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, digital advocacy, online dispute resolution, blockchain, data privacy, document automation, and technology-driven legal practice.
- Mental Health and Workplace Well-being
Creating confidential mental health support services, counselling programmes, burnout prevention initiatives, and an NBA Workplace Relations Unit to address workplace exploitation, harassment, poor remuneration, unhealthy work environments, and professional well-being.
- Legal Entrepreneurship
Helping lawyers become successful business owners by providing practical training in law firm management, branding, client acquisition, financial management, succession planning, business development, and strategic growth.
- Specialist Accreditation
Working towards NBA-recognised specialist accreditation in emerging and established practice areas such as technology law, immigration law, energy law, taxation, arbitration, intellectual property, healthcare law, sports law, and environmental law, thereby encouraging excellence and helping the public identify proven expertise.
- Access to Justice Through Innovation
Leveraging technology to establish virtual legal clinics, coordinated nationwide pro bono services, multilingual public legal education, AI-powered legal information platforms, and community-based justice initiatives for underserved Nigerians.
These are the kinds of transformational initiatives that can redefine both the legal profession and the relevance of the Nigerian Bar Association in the twenty-first century.
In recent weeks, I have also seen many distinguished lawyers, respected public figures, and even celebrities publicly endorsing different candidates. There is absolutely nothing wrong with supporting a friend, colleague, former classmate, or associate.
However, leadership of an institution as important as the NBA should never be determined solely by friendship, familiarity, regional considerations, or personal loyalty.
It should be determined by vision.
By competence.
By integrity.
By courage.
By innovation.
By character.
And above all, by who presents the clearest and most realistic roadmap for building a stronger Bar and a stronger justice system.
Whoever emerges victorious will inherit one of Africa’s most influential professional associations at a time when the legal profession is undergoing unprecedented change. Artificial Intelligence is reshaping legal practice. Cross-border legal services are becoming increasingly commonplace. Clients’ expectations are evolving. Young lawyers are demanding more than promises—they are asking for meaningful opportunities. Access to justice remains beyond the reach of millions of Nigerians.
These realities require visionary leadership and fresh thinking.
When the campaigns end and the ballots are counted, what will matter will not be who won the election, but what the next President does with the mandate entrusted to him or her.
The Nigerian Bar Association has never lacked brilliant lawyers. What it needs now is leadership that will inspire confidence, create opportunities, strengthen our institutions, embrace innovation, and leave the profession better than it found it.
That, ultimately, is how the next NBA President should be remembered.
I wish all the candidates success in the election. More importantly, I wish the Nigerian Bar Association wisdom, unity, credibility, and the courage to embrace a future defined not merely by politics, but by purpose.
Johnson Babalola is a Canada based lawyer.
@jbdlaw
@jblawpro
@jblifecompass
jblawyer2021@gmail.com