The Bar Has Been Lowered” — Senior Lawyers Decry Sidelining Of Tradition At 2025 Conference As Young Lawyers Less Than A Year Post-Call Take Lead Roles

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC), themed “Stand Out, Stand Tall,” held in Enugu from August 22–29, has concluded amid heated discussions on social media and within legal circles about the prominent roles given to young lawyers, some less than a year post-call, while senior advocates and life benchers were reportedly sidelined.

The conference, originally planned for Port Harcourt but relocated to Enugu due to concerns over unconstitutional governance by a sole administrator in Rivers State, also faced a boycott by some senior lawyers, particularly from the South-west and parts of the North, citing insecurity linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and weekly sit-at-home orders in the South-east. Sources close to TheNigeriaLawyer revealed mixed sentiments: while some praised the empowerment of young lawyers, others argued it undermined the profession’s tradition of seniority and merit-based hierarchy.

The NBA-AGC 2025, hosted at Enugu’s International Conference Centre, saw young lawyers, including Deji Adeyanju, Osita Chidoka, and Dino Melaye none exceeding one year post-call leading sessions and serving as panelists. Notably, Melaye, called to the bar less than a year ago, and Adeyanju were spotlighted in high-profile roles, such as introducing keynote speakers like South African politician Julius Malema. This sparked widespread criticism from senior lawyers who view the legal profession as rooted in a time-honored hierarchy where precedence is earned through years of practice and demonstrated competence.

Timothy Abiodun Olatokunbo Tugbiyele, a veteran lawyer with over 45 years at the bar, expressed dismay on social media, stating: “The legal profession is not like this… You come into the profession, you pay your dues.” He recounted an anecdote from his early career where he unknowingly violated protocol by refusing to yield a seat to a senior lawyer, underscoring the profession’s entrenched traditions. Tugbiyele argued that young lawyers who gained prominence outside law, such as in politics or entertainment, should not be elevated above senior advocates and benchers at professional gatherings. He urged the NBA to ensure such occurrences are not repeated, stressing: “There are traditions. Let us uphold the tradition in the legal profession.”

Other lawyers echoed Tugbiyele’s sentiments. One anonymous senior lawyer stated: “The legal profession is built on experience, seniority, and demonstrated competence over time.” Another group, D’ Independent Attorneys, called on NBA leadership to preserve the profession’s integrity by prioritizing merit and experience, warning that deviations threaten the bar’s core values. A particularly scathing comment described the prominence of young lawyers as “an affront on the noblest of all noble professions,” with Douglas Ogbankwa, Esq., convener of Vanguard for the Independence of the Judiciary, asserting: “The bar of the Bar has been lowered… We must defend our profession from invasive intruders masquerading as lawyers.”

However, some voices defended the inclusion of young lawyers. One lawyer commented: “I think [the NBA] should be commended, since they are young it means they are doing great for them to be so recognized.” Others noted that lawyers like Chidoka (a former Minister) and Melaye (a former Senator) brought unique perspectives, justifying their roles despite their junior status. This perspective, however, was overshadowed by criticism that such roles should have gone to more experienced colleagues, with one lawyer citing peers like Emily Atser or Adoga Blessing as better suited for tasks like introducing dignitaries due to their finesse and professional seasoning.

TheNigeriaLawyer also learned from sources that the conference faced a significant boycott, particularly by senior lawyers from the South-west and a smaller percentage from the North, following the NBA’s decision to relocate the event from Port Harcourt to Enugu. The relocation was prompted by concerns over unconstitutional governance in Rivers State, specifically the appointment of a sole administrator, Edison Ehie, which the NBA viewed as a violation of democratic principles. However, the move to Enugu raised security concerns due to IPOB and ESN activities, including weekly Monday sit-at-home orders in the South-east, which deterred attendance.

Sources within the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP), chaired by Chief Emeka JP Obegolu, SAN, revealed that the boycott impacted the quality of panel sessions. Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, a notable attendee, reportedly observed deficiencies in the panel composition, attributing them to the TCCP’s failure to secure high-caliber speakers. A source defended the TCCP, stating: “Those we invited did not want to come to the South-east because of fear of insecurity.” This suggests that the boycott and perceived risks limited the pool of senior participants, inadvertently creating opportunities for younger lawyers to take prominent roles.

The TCCP nonetheless faced scrutiny for its handling of the conference, with critics arguing that the committee failed to maintain the expected standard of excellence. One source told TheNigeriaLawyer: “The blame should go to [the TCCP Chair] for the quality of the panels.” The prominence of young lawyers like Adeyanju, described as struggling to introduce Malema despite reading from a script, fueled perceptions of unpreparedness and undermined the event’s prestige. Critics argued that senior lawyers with decades of experience in areas like access to justice—discussed by Adeyanju—were overlooked, leading to accusations of favoritism and “connection” over merit.

NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, was also criticized for allowing what some called a “disrespectful” departure from tradition. One lawyer remarked: “Osigwe has a case to answer for disrespecting our hallowed practice.” Others suggested that the leadership’s proximity to younger, politically connected lawyers influenced the decision to elevate them, with one commenter noting: “The law practice is becoming more of connection now than what one really has to offer.”

The controversy at NBA-AGC 2025 highlights a tension between tradition and modernization within Nigeria’s legal profession. The elevation of young lawyers, particularly those with external prominence, challenges the profession’s hierarchical structure, which prioritizes seniority as codified in the Legal Practitioners Act. Douglas Ogbankwa emphasized: “Social media popularity or political leverage has no place in placing the precedence of lawyers.” Critics fear that such trends could erode the profession’s dignity, with one lawyer lamenting: “It makes it look like a child’s play.”

Conversely, the inclusion of young lawyers aligns with the conference’s theme, “Stand Out, Stand Tall,” and reflects efforts to engage a new generation in leadership roles. The boycott by senior lawyers, driven by security concerns and dissatisfaction with the venue change, may have inadvertently created space for younger voices. However, this has sparked a broader debate about balancing innovation with the profession’s traditions, with many calling for the NBA to reaffirm its commitment to seniority-based recognition.