Dare Babalola
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s leadership structure, stressing that national progress depends on getting leadership right.
Osigwe made the call at the opening ceremony of the NBA Bwari Branch Law Week, where he emphasised that discussions about Nigeria’s future must translate into concrete action.
According to a statement signed on Monday by the NBA president, he described the event as more than a ceremonial gathering, noting that it served as a platform to reassess the country’s direction and renew commitment to nation-building.
He commended various NBA branches for adopting themes that address the country’s pressing challenges, highlighting the Bwari Branch’s theme, “The Leadership Challenge in Nigeria: The Way Forward Beyond Rhetoric,” as timely and relevant.
Quoting renowned author Chinua Achebe, Osigwe reiterated that leadership remains Nigeria’s biggest challenge.
“The problem of Nigeria is leadership,” he said, adding that meaningful development would remain elusive without visionary and committed leaders.
He pointed to countries such as the United Arab Emirates as examples of how effective leadership can transform nations into global centres of excellence, stressing that similar progress is achievable in Nigeria.
Osigwe, however, noted that leadership responsibility is not limited to those in government, urging citizens to hold leaders accountable while avoiding divisions along ethnic and religious lines.
He also reflected on the growth of the Bwari Branch, which was established during his tenure as Chairman of the Abuja Branch, expressing satisfaction with its contributions to the legal profession.
The NBA president formally declared the Law Week open and urged stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric by actively contributing to Nigeria’s development.
