As Nigeria’s premier legal gathering reaches its crescendo in Port Harcourt, two heavyweight sessions—NBA-SPIDEL’s governance reckoning and FIDA’s push for gender protection—are forcing the Bar to confront the nation’s most urgent institutional crises head-on.
PORT HARCOURT — As the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBA AGC) enters Day 6 under the theme “Beyond Limits,” delegates in Port Harcourt are gearing up for an intensive schedule driven by major legal sections, featuring crucial sessions convened by NBA-SPIDEL and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria.
Enome Amatey, Secretary of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), confirmed an adjusted schedule for the SPIDEL flagship session holding today, Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
Meanwhile, FIDA Nigeria will convene its specialized side event later in the afternoon to tackle systemic gender disparities and human rights protection.
1. NBA-SPIDEL Session: Reimagining Public Interest Law
Rescheduled to the 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM window as part of Breakout Session III, NBA-SPIDEL takes over the Chief Ebele Nwokoye Hall at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium to explore how public interest advocacy can drive structural reform.
[SPIDEL BREAKOUT SESSION III | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM]
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Theme: "Beyond Limits: Reimagining Public Interest Law
for Justice, Accountability and Sustainable Development in Nigeria"
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[Venue: Chief Ebele Nwokoye Hall, Yakubu Gowon Stadium]
- Lead Speaker: Prof. A.H. Yadudu, FNIALS
- Moderator: Paul Daudu SAN (Vice Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL)
- Panelists & Discussants: Osita Chidoka, Prof. Aisha Sani Maikudi, Hilda Dokubo, and Junaidu Marshall, PhD
- Convener: Uju Agomoh, PhD (Chair, NBA-SPIDEL)
2. FIDA Nigeria Side Event: Closing the Protection Gap
Slated for 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM as part of Breakout Session VII, FIDA Nigeria will host its high-profile side event at the Prince Bola Ajibola Hall. The session focuses on practical approaches to closing existing legislative and enforcement gaps in protecting women and children.
[FIDA NIGERIA SIDE EVENT | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM]
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Theme: "Beyond Limits: Closing the Gap"
Focus: Legal reforms, policy implementation, institutional collaboration,
and improved access to justice for women and children.
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[Venue: Prince Bola Ajibola Hall, Port Harcourt, Rivers State]
- Moderator: Mrs. Florence Amiesimaka (Private Legal Practitioner)
- Panelists & Experts:
- Mrs. Peretimi Judith Peterside: Director of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, Bayelsa State
- Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi: Associate Professor, Public Law, University of Lagos
- Faithvin Nwanchor Esq.: Head of Sexual Assault, Ministry of Justice, Ebonyi State
- Rashidat Mohammed Esq.: State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, Sokoto
3. Day 6 Conference Schedule Overview
Day 6 presents a broad itinerary featuring three major Showcases and nine specialized Breakout Sessions designed to address legal practice, economic policy, and civil rights.
Showcase Sessions (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
- Showcase I (UNICEF): Charles Idehen Hall
- Showcase II (Future Practice): Prince Bola Ajibola SAN Hall
- Showcase III (NSITF): Chief Ebele Nwokoye Hall
Breakout Sessions I – V (11:00 AM – 12:30 PM)
- Session I (Contract Without Ceiling): Prince Bola Ajibola Hall
- Session II (Business of Fees): Chief Charles Idehen Esq. Hall
- Session III (NBA-SPIDEL: Public Interest Law): Chief Ebele Nwokoye Hall
- Session IV (Big Energy: Women Who Lead): Andrew Anyamene SAN Hall
- Session V (Position, Build, Thrive): Charles Idehen Hall
Breakout Sessions VI – IX (1:30 PM – 3:00 PM)
- Session VI (Let There Be Light): Alao Aka Bashorun Hall
- Session VII (FIDA Nigeria: Closing the Gap): Prince Bola Ajibola Hall
- Session VIII (Beyond Barriers: Lawyers With Disability Forum): Chief Ebele Nwokoye Hall
- Session IX (Loan: Truth and the Light of Silence): Andrew Anyamene SAN Hall
4. Key Session Comparison Table
| Metric | NBA-SPIDEL Session | FIDA Nigeria Side Event |
| Theme | Reimagining Public Interest Law for Justice & Accountability | Beyond Limits: Closing the Gap (Women & Children’s Rights) |
| Time | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Breakout III) | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM (Breakout VII) |
| Venue | Chief Ebele Nwokoye Hall | Prince Bola Ajibola Hall |
| Key Leadership | Uju Agomoh, PhD & Paul Daudu SAN | Mrs. Florence Amiesimaka (Mod.) |
| Primary Focus | Institutional governance, development, and civic advocacy | Legal reform, policy implementation, and access to justice for women/children |
