NBA Conference: When Popularity Replaces Substance
By Adebamiwa Olugbenga Michael
For decades, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual Conference has stood as one of the most important gatherings in the country’s civic and professional calendar. It has been more than just a meeting of lawyers; it has been a platform where the most distinguished legal minds dissect issues of justice, governance, and the rule of law. In its finest years, it was the place where landmark cases were analyzed, pressing national questions debated, and the next generation of lawyers was inspired by giants of the profession.
Yet, recent developments at the latest conference have left many questioning whether the NBA is gradually drifting away from its founding ideals.
From Intellectual Rigor to Celebrity Culture
This year, the spotlight did not fall on seasoned constitutional scholars, celebrated Senior Advocates of Nigeria, or professors of law who have shaped generations of legal thought. Instead, panel discussions featured names like Deji Adeyanju, Dino Melaye, and Osita Chidoka—individuals who are either newly minted lawyers with less than a year of practice or figures far better known for politics, activism, and public controversy than for any track record of serious legal achievement.
Their presence on a discussion panel sparked a troubling question: what exactly is the NBA conference becoming?
The Value of Fresh Voices—But at What Cost?
To be clear, no one disputes that every lawyer—whether young or old—deserves a voice. Fresh perspectives are necessary, and the profession must create space for new entrants. But there is a difference between inclusion and substitution. Leadership on such a prestigious platform should not be determined by who trends on social media, who courts controversy, or who carries political clout. It should rest on the weight of knowledge, the depth of practice, and the wisdom that comes only with time and sacrifice.
By allowing figures whose professional experience is, at best, superficial to dominate conversations, the NBA risks reducing its flagship event to a spectacle of personalities rather than an exchange of ideas.
The Deafening Absence of Legal Heavyweights
Equally striking was the absence of those whose voices carry genuine authority within the legal profession. Where were the Senior Advocates of Nigeria who have defended human rights, challenged unconstitutional laws, and contributed to Nigerian jurisprudence? Where were the scholars who have spent decades teaching constitutional law and training generations of advocates? Where were the law firms whose landmark cases before the Supreme Court have defined the country’s legal history?
Whether their exclusion was intentional or merely negligent, the silence of these heavyweights was loud, and it raised doubts about how the NBA now defines relevance.
Popularity vs. Professionalism
The danger in this new direction is obvious. When popularity replaces substance, professionalism decays. A conference once regarded as a forum of intellectual learning and professional growth risks becoming a political carnival where applause is valued more than wisdom. This is especially troubling at a time when Nigeria desperately needs a strong and principled bar association—one capable of holding government accountable and restoring the public’s eroded confidence in the judiciary.
The Nigerian Bar has historically been the conscience of the nation, producing fearless advocates who challenged tyranny, defended civil rights, and spoke truth to power. That heritage should not be surrendered on the altar of cheap popularity.
Complement, Not Replace
It must also be said that there is nothing inherently wrong with inviting activists, politicians, or even celebrities to share perspectives at a legal conference. The law intersects with society in countless ways, and outside voices can enrich the conversation. But they should complement, not replace, the intellectual backbone of the profession. By placing “baby lawyers” with less than one year of practice at the forefront, the NBA sends a damaging message to young practitioners: that visibility now matters more than diligence, and that showmanship trumps depth.
A Time for Self-Reflection
The NBA must therefore pause and ask itself hard questions. Has its annual conference become a stage for political performance rather than legal scholarship? Is it still committed to nurturing intellectual rigor, professional excellence, and the spirit of service? Or is it now chasing headlines, mimicking the noisy world of politics and entertainment?
If it continues down this path, the association risks losing credibility—not only among its members but also in the eyes of the Nigerian public who once looked to the Bar for principled leadership.
Returning to First Principles
Ultimately, the future of the NBA conference depends on what it chooses to celebrate. Will it honor the quiet brilliance of legal minds who have shaped jurisprudence and defended the rule of law? Or will it succumb to the loud theatrics of personalities who thrive on attention but add little to legal development?
If the Nigerian Bar Association truly wishes to remain the conscience of society, it must retrace its steps and return to its roots. Substance, not showmanship, must once again become the measure of respect.
