……..Proposes Regional Qualifiers for President’s Cup Tournament, Structured Food Vending and Stricter Scrutiny of Conference Guests
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, has called for far-reaching reforms in the planning and organisation of the Association’s Annual General Conference (AGC), proposing measures aimed at reducing costs, improving members’ welfare and protecting the reputation of the Legal Profession.
The Branch made the proposals in a Position Paper presented to the President of the NBA, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, during a strategic meeting at the Association’s Headquarters, NBA House, Abuja, on 14th of October 2026.
The Position Paper and its accompanying letter (which also conveyed the Branch’s congratulatory message to Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya on her assumption of office as the first elected female President of the Association) were presented by the Branch Chairman, Mr. Adeniyi Quadri and the Branch Secretary, Amòfin Ayodeji Olabiwonnu at the meeting which was also attended by the NBA General Secretary, Mr Afam Okeke; the National Treasurer, Esther Jimoh, Esq.; and the Assistant General Secretary, Aghogho Gladys Okpomor, Esq.
The document, titled “Position Paper on the Organisation of the NBA Annual General Conference: Towards a More Efficient, Dignified, Inclusive and World-Class Conference Experience,” contains recommendations arising from a review of previous Conferences, members’ experiences and institutional lessons from their planning and execution.
One of the principal recommendations concerns the President’s Cup, the annual football tournament involving teams from NBA Branches across the country. The Ikeja Branch observed that the existing arrangement, which requires participating teams to arrive in the host city well before the main Conference Programme, places considerable financial pressure on Branches already facing competing demands on their resources.
The Branch also raised concerns about the professional time lost by participating Lawyers and the physical risks associated with playing several matches within a compressed schedule. It therefore proposed a regional qualification system, preferably aligned with the NBA’s recognised Zonal Structure, through which participating Branches would compete locally before the successful teams advance through inter-zonal stages. Under the proposed arrangement, only four teams would proceed to the Conference venue for the Semi-Finals, Third-Place Match and Final during the main Conference Programme.
The Branch believes the proposal would significantly reduce travel and accommodation expenses, improve player welfare and allow more Conferees to watch the decisive matches. It could also create better opportunities for sponsorship and commercial partnerships.
Another notable proposal in the Position Paper is a fundamental review of complimentary meal arrangements at NBA Conferences, citing recurring concerns about congestion, long queues and disorderly food distribution.
To address these challenges, the Branch proposed engaging a carefully selected number of established Food-Service Operators with sufficient capacity to serve large numbers of Conferees efficiently.
It recommended a voucher-based system through which registered participants could redeem their meal entitlements at designated Food Cabins within the Conference venue or at approved outlets operated by participating Vendors in the host city.
The proposal also envisages multiple redemption points, digital voucher validation and effective monitoring to ensure accountability and adequate service delivery. According to the Branch, the objective is to replace chaotic distribution arrangements with a system that guarantees convenience, choice and dignity for members.
Another major recommendation concerns the selection of resource persons invited to play prominent roles at Conferences, including principal Speakers, Panelists, headline Entertainers and Celebrity Guests. The Branch argued that the NBA’s position as a leading Professional Institution and an important voice on Justice, Governance and the Rule of Law makes the choices it makes at its flagship events matters of significant public interest. It recommended that proposed non-Lawyer participants occupying prominent roles be subjected to appropriate reputational due diligence and that comprehensive lists of such participants be submitted to the NBA President for approval following relevant consultations. It argued further that the proposed process would consider the suitability of prospective participants, their relevance to the theme, their public records and the potential reputational implications of their involvement. The Branch stressed that the recommendation was not intended to discourage interdisciplinary engagement but to ensure that invitations to major Conference platforms reflect the values and institutional standing of the Association.
Also contained in the the 22-paged Position Paper are recommendations on a Conferee-centered approach to Conference Markets (Mammy Markets) and Exhibition stands, post-conference stocktaking, record keeping and communique drafting.
According to the Branch, the Position Paper is a product of historical review of previous Conferences, members’ experiences and public feedback and the objective is to support the new administration in building Conferences that meet international standards while responding to the practical realities of organising large professional gatherings in Nigeria.
Receiving the document, Mrs Badejo-Okusanya, SAN commended NBA Ikeja Branch for its proactive approach to institutional reform, noting that the Branch was demonstrating leadership by translating its concerns into practical proposals.
The NBA President undertook to study the Position Paper and assured the delegation that its recommendations would receive serious consideration. She also expressed her administration’s commitment to ensuring that members have worthwhile and rewarding experiences at future Conferences.
