A CALL FOR RECOGNITION OF THE SOUTHERN BAR FORUM WITHIN THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION
Abuja, Nigeria — April 2026
A growing coalition of legal practitioners from the southern region of Nigeria has issued a formal call for the recognition and institutionalization of a Southern Bar Forum within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), citing the need for structural balance, fairness, and contemporary relevance in the Association’s framework.
In a statement addressed to distinguished Senior Advocates of Nigeria, respected elders of the Bar, and members of the legal profession, the group expressed concern over the continued classification of lawyers from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States under the existing Western and Eastern Bar Forums.According to the statement, this arrangement is “conceptually flawed and historically misplaced,” as it reflects a colonial-era regional structure that no longer aligns with Nigeria’s current constitutional, geographical, and socio-political realities.The proponents argue that by universally accepted geographical principles, the North is complemented by the South, just as the East is by the West. Consequently, while a Northern Bar identity is clearly defined and operational, the absence of a formally recognized Southern Bar Forum represents a structural inconsistency within the NBA.
They emphasized that the proposed Southern Bar Forum is not merely symbolic but is rooted in shared socio-legal experiences, economic realities, and professional interests among practitioners in the southern states.
The continued fragmentation of this bloc, they noted, undermines inclusiveness and equitable representation within the legal profession.Describing the initiative as “a call for structural justice and institutional clarity,” the group urged stakeholders within the NBA to take deliberate steps toward reform.Key Demands
The statement outlines the following key demands:Formal recognition of the Southern Bar Forum within the NBA structure;Equitable representation in leadership and decision-making processes of the Association;Correction of historical anomalies that no longer serve the collective interest of the profession.
The call further appeals to Senior Advocates of Nigeria and influential members of the Bar to provide leadership and support in advancing this reform.“The time to act is now,” the statement concludes. “The Nigerian Bar Association must continue to evolve in a manner that reflects fairness, logic, and the realities of its diverse membership.”The movement signals what may become a significant shift in the organizational dynamics of the NBA, as conversations around representation, identity, and institutional reform continue to gain momentum within Nigeria’s legal community.Issued by:Concerned Members of the Southern Bar Forum
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