*Calls It “A Deliberate Affront To Inclusivity”
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Mr. Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, a presidential aspirant for the Nigerian Bar Association and former Chairman of NBA Lagos Branch, has called out the leadership of the NBA Women Forum for excluding all male aspirants to the office of NBA President from participating in panel sessions at the Forum’s 2026 Annual General Conference holding in Kano State.
In a goodwill message released on Thursday as the conference commenced, Akangbe described the decision as “highly unusual and deeply troubling,” arguing that it undermines the very democratic ethos that the Forum upholds.
Akangbe disclosed that while he had looked forward to participating in at least one of the high-level intellectual panel sessions lined up by the organising committee, as has become convention, he was denied that opportunity.
“While I had looked forward to participating in at least one of the high-level intellectual panel sessions lined up by the organising committee, as has become the convention, I was regrettably denied that privilege by the leadership of the NBA-WF,” Akangbe stated.
“Nevertheless, I wish the membership of the NBA-WF a very fruitful Conference and I will attend the Conference and contribute to the success of the Conference in other ways possible.”
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria acknowledged that speaking as a panelist at NBA conferences is not a legal or enforceable right but a privilege at the discretion of organisers.
However, he noted that it has become conventional to invite aspirants to different elective offices of the Association, especially the office of President, at such events.
“I therefore took it for granted that all aspirants to the office of the President of our noble Association would be invited to participate in panel sessions at the 2026 Conference,” he said.
Akangbe revealed that as the conference dates drew near, he was initially concerned when he did not receive an invitation.
“But my concern turned to profound dismay when I confirmed that the leadership of the NBA-WF had decided to depart from convention and exclude all male Presidential aspirants from participating in panel sessions at the 2026 Annual General Conference of the NBA-WF, a decision that is without justification and which undermines the very democratic ethos that the Forum undoubtedly upholds,” he stated.
Akangbe argued that the NBA-WF is not an independent body but a Forum of the NBA and a vital part of the Association whose aims include commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.
He emphasised that whoever emerges as NBA President will lead the Association alongside all Branches, Fora and Sections, making the Annual General Conference of the NBA-WF a veritable opportunity for members to engage with presidential aspirants and provide firsthand feedback on issues plaguing the various arms of the Association.
“Regrettably, by its present actions, the leadership has chosen to deprive the Forum’s membership of this invaluable opportunity,” Akangbe said.
“Putting it starkly, the leadership of the NBA-WF has, by this singular act, denied the conference delegates and the generality of the membership of the Forum the opportunity to ‘gain new perspectives and strengthen their collective legacy.’ This is a deliberate affront to the ideals of inclusivity and democratic participation that the NBA-WF has historically championed.”
Akangbe disclosed that he has received phone calls and messages from a wide range of Forum members who were deeply uncomfortable with the leadership’s actions.
“The groundswell of concern is unmistakable. I am therefore gratified to note that the general membership is not aligned with the leadership on this critical issue, and I respectfully urge the leadership to take heed,” he stated.
Despite his criticism, Akangbe congratulated the membership of the NBA-WF on their Annual General Conference, which runs from March 27 to April 1, 2026, in Kano State.
He commended the conference theme — “Time to Gain: Building a Culture of Leadership, Legacy & Support” — as timely and important.
“At a time when the wider Nigerian society is earnestly yearning for quality leadership in every facet of our national life and for champions to address the societal ills that continue to plague our society, the 2026 Annual General Conference of the Forum could not have come at a better time,” Akangbe said.
He expressed hope that the leadership would reflect on the situation.
“I trust that the leadership will reflect on this and that this episode will serve as a learning curve for us to do better for the sake of posterity and the enduring credibility of the Forum,” Akangbe concluded.
“See you in Kano State.”
Mr. Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, FCIArb (UK), is a former Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch and is among the aspirants seeking to become the next President of the Nigerian Bar Association.
The NBA Women Forum is the umbrella body for female members of the Nigerian Bar Association, which Akangbe described as “the foremost professional membership association in Nigeria and the most influential network of legal practitioners in Africa.”
The NBA-WF leadership had not issued a public response to Akangbe’s statement as at the time of filing this report.
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