TheNigeriaLawyer Celebrates Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) As He Clocks 67

The management and entire Staff of TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL) are pleased to join the legal profession, family members and well-wishers in celebrating Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, as he turns 67.

May God grant the learned silk longer life, more strength, and wisdom to keep serving the country.

Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, is a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA. However, he could easily pass for the President of the Human Rights community in Nigeria-if there was such a body. Although a maritime lawyer par excellence and seasoned technocrat, Agbakoba’s giant strides in different fields of human endeavor are easily dwarfed by his huge passion and daring activities in the defense of Human Rights in Nigeria. He is a product of University of Nigeria from where he obtained LLB degree, after he attended the Nigeria Law School and qualified with BL certification. He also holds an LL.M (London). He specializes in Maritime Law; Human Rights and Rule of Law.

Born in Jos, on 29 May 1953, young Olisa obtained his first school leaving certificate from Zixton public School, Ozubulu in 1964. He attended the Prestigious Hill Crest School, Jos, an exclusive white school, for his secondary education and obtained the West African School Certificate in 1973. In the same year, he secured admission to read law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He graduated with honors in 1977. And by 1978, he was called to the Nigeria Bar after brilliantly distinguishing himself in his studies at the Nigeria Law School.

Olisa’s educational and career adventures took him to the London School of Economics where he bagged a master’s degree in maritime law in 1980. In 1983, he went into full-time law practice, and he is today reckoned with both locally and international as one of the best lawyers in Nigeria.

He has received over 60 awards from across the country and abroad, including leading human rights awards.

His contributions in the filed of Human Rights, political and economic emancipation of Nigeria will forever have a pride of place in the history of the country. In 1987, he co-founded Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, one of Africa’s largest and most vocal human rights organizations.

His Honours & Preferments include: President, Nigerian Bar Association (2006-2008); Chairman, law Reform committee, Nigerian Bar Association (2005) Exemplary Leadership Award. Nigerian Bar Association (2007); President / Founder, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; Fellow, Chartered Institute of Mediators; Founding President, Civil Liberties Organization (1987-95); Fellow, Institute of Directors, Nigeria, Fellow, Institute of Administrative Management of Nigeria American Bar Association Awards for Human Rights and Rule of Law. Chairman, National Investment Law Review Committee; Member, Council of Continuing Legal Education; Member, Governing Council Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Life Member, Body of Benchers; Member, Nigerian Economic Summit Group; Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON.

Happy Birthday sir.