The Chairman of the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference Planning Committee, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Emeka Obegolu, has clarified that the decision to hold the upcoming conference in Port Harcourt was made as far back as August 2024. He emphasized that this decision did not involve any bidding process or the payment of hosting rights.
Obegolu was responding to claims reportedly made by the Administrator of Rivers State, suggesting that the state government had paid to secure the hosting of the 2025 NBA Conference. In his statement, Obegolu explained that, due to the high costs associated with organizing the annual event, the planning committee routinely seeks support from institutions, agencies, and state governments. However, he stressed that any such support is provided voluntarily and does not guarantee hosting privileges or confer any exclusive rights.
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He further clarified that financial or logistical contributions from interested parties do not influence the selection of a host city, nor does the NBA make any formal commitments that the conference must be held in a particular location.
In the meantime, the Enugu State Government has declared its willingness to host the 2025 NBA Annual General Conference. Chairperson of the Enugu State Tourism Board, Rita Mbah, told journalists in Enugu that the state is prepared to provide a smooth and unforgettable experience for participants. She noted that the newly launched Enugu International Conference Centre would serve as the venue.
The NBA’s decision to relocate the conference from Rivers to Enugu followed a political development on March 18, 2025, when President Bola Tinubu appointed retired naval officer Ibok-ete Ibas to replace Governor Siminalayi Fubara, prompting the association’s protest and subsequent change of venue.
