Abuja, Nigeria — Sixteen years after last hosting a national leadership gathering, the Abuja branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers is preparing for a high-profile return to the national stage, unveiling plans for its upcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 2026.
In a full-circle moment, Hajiya Laraba Shuaibu who led FIDA Abuja during its last NEC hosting in 2010, now returns to steer the planning process as chair of the Local Organising Committee. (LOC)
The committee, formally unveiled during the branch’s April meeting, signals what insiders describe as a strategic push to elevate conversations around women’s leadership, legal advocacy, and governance in Nigeria.
A Strategic Return
The upcoming NEC meeting, set for June 24–27 in Abuja, is expected to bring together key stakeholders from across the legal, policy, and civil society landscape.
According to branch chairperson Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, the initiative goes beyond logistics.
“This is about deliberate planning, coordination, and collaboration to ensure a successful NEC meeting that reflects our impact and future direction,” she told members.
Supporting Shuaibu is Amina Suzanah Agbaje, immediate past Country Vice President of FIDA Nigeria, who will serve as alternate chairperson of the planning committee.
Funding, Strategy, and Structure
At its inaugural virtual meeting, attended by 36 members, the committee moved quickly to establish a framework for execution, including fundraising strategies, sub-committee structures, and partnership outreach.
Eight sub-committees were constituted to handle key areas including logistics, publicity, accommodation, and program development, underscoring the scale and ambition of the event.
Beyond a Meeting
Organizers say the NEC gathering is designed not only as an internal governance forum but also as a platform for advancing policy-driven solutions to women’s underrepresentation in leadership and decision-making.
“Decisions that shape systems must include women at the table,” the organizers noted in a statement outlining the event’s broader vision.
The June meeting is expected to focus on actionable strategies to strengthen women’s participation in democratic governance, moving beyond dialogue toward implementation.
A Defining Moment
For FIDA Abuja, the return of the NEC meeting marks both a milestone and a test, of its organizational capacity, its influence within Nigeria’s legal community, and its ability to shape national conversations on gender equity.
As preparations intensify, the spotlight is once again on Abuja, not just as host city, but as a staging ground for what could become a defining moment in Nigeria’s ongoing push for inclusive governance.
