The former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, SAN, emphasized the association's successful resistance against attempts to undermine its independence during his tenure. Presenting his final annual report at the 2026 Annual General Meeting held in Port Harcourt, Osigwe outlined key achievements and challenges faced by the NBA since he assumed office in August 2024.

Osigwe reported that his administration focused on strengthening the NBA’s financial stability, enhancing digital infrastructure, and improving welfare schemes for lawyers. He noted that the NBA actively defended the independence of the judiciary and challenged executive overreach, particularly in instances where lawyers faced harassment or unlawful arrests in the line of duty.

One significant moment highlighted by Osigwe was the NBA's strong opposition to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which he argued undermined democratic governance. He stated, "We made it abundantly clear that constitutional democracy cannot be preserved through executive fiat," stressing the importance of resolving political disagreements through established legal frameworks.

During his tenure, the NBA faced legal challenges, including a successful appeal against a ruling from the Oyo State High Court that sought to restrict the Electoral Committee of the NBA from conducting elections. The Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the NBA, allowing the electoral process to proceed without interference.

Osigwe also disclosed that the NBA rejected an alleged directive from the Attorney-General of the Federation that aimed to disband the Electoral Committee and postpone the elections. He maintained that such directives were unconstitutional and exceeded the AGF's authority. The NBA's position was later upheld by the Court of Appeal.

In the recent elections, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya was elected as the 33rd president of the NBA, receiving 12,317 votes against her opponents, Lateef Akangbe and Olumuyiwa Akinboro. The election saw a participation rate of 31.86%, with over 26,000 votes cast from a total of 82,172 registered voters. Osigwe noted that the election process faced cyber threats but ultimately succeeded due to the NBA's resilience and commitment to integrity.

Osigwe’s administration also made significant strides in digital transformation, introducing several initiatives to modernize the NBA’s operations. These included the Digital Annual Practice Licence and the NBA Smart Identity Card, which aimed to enhance regulatory compliance and reduce administrative bottlenecks.

Financially, the NBA under Osigwe's leadership invested N4.154 billion in fixed-income instruments, generating enough income to sustain staff salaries for 18 months without depleting the principal. The association also established a N500 million Welfare and Life Assurance Fund, which has provided over N140 million in death benefits to beneficiaries of deceased lawyers.

Reflecting on his time as president, Osigwe urged the incoming administration to prioritize member welfare, uphold prudent financial management, and continue the digital transformation agenda. He expressed gratitude to all who supported his leadership and reaffirmed the NBA's commitment to serving the interests of its members above individual ambitions. "The Nigerian Bar Association has always been greater than any individual," he concluded, highlighting the collective responsibility in advancing the association's goals.