The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) is set to assess the effectiveness of Nigeria’s economic and institutional reforms at its upcoming 20th Annual International Business Law Conference. The event, themed “Beyond Reforms: Measuring Policy Impact,” is scheduled to take place from June 8 to 10, 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
Two Decades of Engagement
Speaking during a press conference, Chair of NBA-SBL, Ozofu ’Latunde Ogiemudia, noted that the conference marks two decades of sustained engagement on issues at the intersection of law, business, and public policy. According to her, the yearly conference has evolved into one of the leading platforms for commercial and policy discussions in Nigeria and across Africa.
Ogiemudia explained that the theme reflects a shift from discussing reforms to evaluating their outcomes, especially as Nigeria has implemented major changes across sectors including taxation, trade, digital payments, infrastructure, mining, energy, data governance, and the petroleum industry.
Key Questions on Reform Effectiveness
“The critical question now is not whether reforms have been introduced, but whether they are working,” she said. Ogiemudia noted that the conference would interrogate whether reforms are strengthening institutions, improving investor confidence, enhancing market efficiency, and delivering measurable outcomes for businesses and the wider economy.
She added that the conference would convene regulators, policymakers, business leaders, legal practitioners, and subject-matter experts to assess the effectiveness of existing policies and examine what changes are required to achieve sustainable economic growth and competitiveness.
Focus on Sectoral Reforms
Also speaking, Chair of the 2026 Conference Planning Committee, Oludare Senbore, said the conference would focus on evaluating reforms across sectors such as finance, taxation, infrastructure, and energy. According to him, discussions would examine whether reforms have translated into measurable economic outcomes and improved investor confidence, while also assessing the gap between policy formulation and implementation.
Senbore stated that sessions would specifically address developments in the oil and gas sector, the power sector, and the Nigerian judicial system, as well as issues surrounding data sovereignty and data globalisation. He emphasised that the conference aims to bridge the gap between policy quality and execution, adding that recommendations from the sessions would be directed at policymakers and regulatory institutions, including agencies in the energy and competition sectors.
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
Senbore further noted that the conference would foster collaboration among legal practitioners, business leaders, and regulators, while equipping participants with deeper knowledge of economic and fiscal issues shaping Nigeria’s commercial environment.
Speaking on the structure of the event, the Programme and Content Committee chair, Olufunmilayo Otsembor, disclosed that the conference would feature about 15 sessions. She said a masterclass would be organised to train younger lawyers on essential professional skills, while mentorship sessions would provide career guidance for emerging practitioners.
Diverse Panel Discussions
Otsembor explained that panel discussions would involve policymakers, government officials, investors, and lawyers, with sessions dedicated to trade reforms, the Nigerian payment system, cybersecurity risks, data sovereignty, health, and climate-related issues. She added that the conference would include breakout sessions, keynote addresses, networking opportunities, and social events aimed at fostering meaningful engagement among participants.
The conference has also secured support from leading law firms and corporate organisations across the country.
