Nigerian Bar Association

Nigerian Bar Association
Formation	1933
Type	Professional association
Purpose/focus	Promote legal professionalism
Official languages	English
President	Joseph ’Bodunrin Daudu
Website	nba.org.ng/web/

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is the umbrella body of all lawyers admitted to practice law in Nigeria. Any lawyer who satisfies the members of the Body of Benchers that they have good character and proficiency in the Bar Final Examination from the Nigerian Law School is automatically admitted.^[1]

The NBA was officially recognized by law in 1933. The association has a National Secretariat and 88 branches in the 36 states of Nigeria, with about 55,000 members as of 2010. Fourteen National Officers are appointed every two years. The National Executive Committee (NEC) manages the affairs of the association. The NEC is made up of the National Officers and representatives of all branches. The NBA holds annual general conferences and publishes various journals and newsletters reporting the work of its sections and committees.^[1]

As of 2009, the president of the Nigerian Bar Association was Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).^[2]

Former chairmen or presidents

Chairmen of the Bar Association were:^[3]

• Christopher Sapara Williams (1900 - 1915)
• Sir Kitoyi Ajasa (1915 - 1937)
• Eric Olawale Moore (1937 - 1944)
• E.J. Alex Taylor (1944 - 1950)
• Sir Adeyemo Alakija (1950 - 1952)
• Jubril Martin (1952 - 1959)

Presidents of the Bar Association, who had the same authority as the former Chairmen, were:^[3]

• Frederick Rotimi Williams (1960 - 1968)
• Peter Thomas (1968 - 1969)
• Chief B.M. Boyo (1969 - 1970)
• Chief Richard Akinjide (1970 – 1973)
• Chief Adebayo Ogunsanya (1973 – 1974)
• Dr. Mudiaga Odge (1974 – 1975)
• Dr. Nwakanma Okoro (1976-1978)
• Chief B.O. Benson (1978 – 1980)
• Chief Adetunji Fadairo (1980 - 1982)
• A.N. Anyamene (1982 – 1984)
• Prince Bola Ajibola, former (1984 – 1985)
• Ebele Nwokoye (1985 – 1987)
• Alao Aka-Bashorun (1987 - 1989)
• Charles Idehen (1989-1991)
• Chief Clement Akpamgbo (1991 - 1992)
• Priscilla Kuye (1991 – 1992)

Between 1992 and 1998 the NBA had no president, functioning only in branches. After the crisis, presidents were:^[3]

• Chief T.J.O. Okpoko, SAN (1998 - 2000)
• O.C.J. Okocha, SAN (2000 - 2002)
• Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN (2002 – 2004)
• Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN (2004 - 2005)
• Prince Lanke Odogiyo (2005 - 2006)
• Olisa Agbakoba (2006 – 2008)
• Chief Olurotimi Akeredolu, SAN (2008 – 2010)
• Joseph Bodurin Daudu, SAN (2010 - )

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "About NBA". Nigerian Bar Association. http://www.nigerianbar.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1&Itemid=6. Retrieved 2010-2-13. 
2. ^ Jude Igbanoi (14 December 2009). "NBA Backs Akeredolu Over Yar'Adua's Health". ThisDay. http://allafrica.com/stories/200912150767.html. Retrieved 2010-2-13. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Ike Uko (4 May 2011). "Who Was NBA's First President?". The Daily Independent (Lagos). http://allafrica.com/stories/201105050680.html. Retrieved 2011-5-22.