Chief Magistrate Nkechi Yvonne Usani of Cross River State is set to lead a bold conversation on indigene discrimination and gender equity in Nigeria’s legal system.
She will address these issues at the Women in Leadership in Law (WILIL) webinar themed “Enhancing Work-Life Balance and Accessibility in Court Settings.”
The event, organized by the National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria (NAWJN) in collaboration with the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ), aims to help women in law navigate the challenges of balancing career and family life.
Magistrate Usani will focus on how women can be protected from overt and subtle forms of discrimination linked to indigene status, while also calling for clear policies that promote fairness and inclusivity in the judiciary.
The webinar will bring together members of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum, FIDA, African Women Lawyers Association, Law Teachers Association, Magistrates Association of Nigeria (Women Wing), and Law Officers in the Public Sector.
Organizers say the discussion will raise awareness about the importance of family-friendly court facilities and highlight the pioneering efforts of the Abia State Judiciary, which recently established a creche and nursing room for working mothers.
Other goals of the forum include exploring accessibility features that make courts more inclusive, promoting career satisfaction among women in law, and encouraging stakeholders to adopt supportive workplace policies.
A graduate of the University of Lagos (Class of 2001) and a member of the Nigerian Bar since 2003, Magistrate Usani’s career spans private practice, government regulation, and judicial service. She joined the magistracy in 2014 and has presided over cases in civil, criminal, probate, and family courts.
In 2024, she was appointed to the Cross River State Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal and currently serves as Chief Registrar of the Cross River State Customary Court of Appeal, overseeing the administration of 304 customary courts across the state.
A Chartered Arbitrator and seasoned speaker, she has delivered papers at the National Judicial Institute and the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Legal Practice Annual Conference.
Beyond the bench, Nkechi Usani is a trustee of the Calabar Book Club, a passionate reader, and an avid gardener — a reminder that balance, even in law and life, is possible.
📅 Date: Thursday, 13th November, 2025.
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM (WAT).
💻 Platform: Zoom / YouTube Live.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82458329448?pwd=VPuCDEzKjbXav76Yh0PVo8pLaxYPQq.1
Meeting ID: 824 5832 9448
Passcode: WILILTEAM
https://youtube.com/live/TBwt0vGHAF0?feature=shareJoin via YouTube:
