NBA-AGC: Pushing beyond the CPD points

Before I begin, I commend the Nigerian Bar Association, led by Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, for its energetic and effective efforts towards improving the profession. His tenure has been characterised by impactful vision, distinct from a mere desire to join the ranks of past leaders. This explains that leadership must have a solid basis anchored on vision, capability, problem-solving, collaboration, and courage. Where these qualities are deficient, the organ being led will mechanically find itself in a deep calamity or disaster. These offer insights on why Nigeria, as a country, has been wandering out of the frying pan into the fire as each new administration is inaugurated, thereby subjecting citizens to adversity.

For instance, over the years, for all the NBA Annual General Conferences, the association had been categorising the new wigs’ registration with those from nine years downwards. Last year, 2024, I considered it improper. Hence, I petitioned the NBA president and followed it up with a media advocacy, which was published in various newspapers and online platforms, and argued that new wigs rationally should be given an exclusive subsidised fee to enable them register to participate in their first NBA-AGC after call to bar, as a good opportunity to integrate them into the profession.

At that time, Mazi Osigwe was the President-elect, hence he couldn’t do anything about it. The outgoing executives had already released the registration fees plan. It was understandable.

But in this year’s AGC registration plan, the fee for the new wigs, for the first time in history, was subsidised, exclusive to encourage them register and participate in the conference of all lawyers in the country which is the only forum to meet yearly in a sociable and relaxed environment and mood other than the court moods with motion on notice or ex partes, affidavits and petitions, and compulsorily in black and white, with wig and gown by the side. The annual gathering presents a relaxed mood for learned colleagues to relax, wine and dine together, and learn new things by sharing spaces in one location for about a week. Suffice it to say that the AGC is an event worth participating in by all lawyers.

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The NBA-AGC is necessary for all lawyers, and very essential for young lawyers who are growing up in the profession. Nothing beats physical meetings and interactions, and it should be underscored that the event is the only gathering of lawyers once a year for upgrading, physical connections, and networks. Character cannot be effectively moulded by virtual meetings for CPD points. There is, therefore, no justifiable basis for a principal to leave junior lawyers with registration fees in a firm where everyone works together as a family. In a struggling firm, it may be understandable. Ideally, a law firm should cater for at least registration fees as a basic minimum support, except that a lawyer personally declines.

Admitted, survival of the fittest plays out in all spheres of life, but it should not go to the extreme.

Umegboro is a legal practitioner, social policy and public affairs analyst, and can be reached via [email protected]