The Nigerian legal community is set for a landmark event as the NBA-Lawyers with Disabilities Forum (LWDF) Annual Conference convenes in Asaba, the capital of Delta State. The hybrid conference, scheduled for November 25 and 26, 2025, will bring together prominent figures from government, law, and advocacy to chart a new course for inclusion.
Dignitaries and Keynote Focus
An impressive roster of dignitaries is expected to grace the occasion. This includes the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the Executive Director of Brace Foundation, Dr Soibi Godwin-Clark, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Mohammed Isah.
Dr Godwin-Clark, serving as the Keynote Speaker, will tackle the crucial topic: ‘From Policy to Practice: Driving Sustainable Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities in Law and Leadership.’ This address is anticipated to set the tone for the conference, pushing the conversation beyond theoretical frameworks into actionable strategies.
In-Depth Plenary Sessions
The conference agenda is packed with two major plenary sessions designed to dissect critical issues. The first session, ‘Breaking Barriers: Legal Frameworks, Accessibility and Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities’, will be moderated by A. O. Odum (SAN) of the Seat of Wisdom Chambers.
Esteemed panellists for this discussion include:
- Hon Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary, National Commission for People with Disabilities (NCPWD)
- David Anyaele, Chairman, Abia State Disability Commission
- Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, Managing Partner, Health Ethics and Law Consulting
- Amb. Ubaka Emeka Betram, Executive Director, Persons with Disabilities Action Network (PEDANET)
- Ufedo Tom Yakubu, Researcher, National Judicial Institute (NJI)
The second plenary, titled ‘Leadership Redefined: Empowering Lawyers with Disabilities to Shape Policy and Drive Change’, will feature insights from Mrs Lois Auta, Founder and CEO of Cedar Seed Foundation, and Dr Sununu. They will be joined by senior advocates Akin Akintoye II (SAN) and Seni Adio (SAN), as well as the SSA to the President, Hon Isa. This session will be moderated by Dr Beatrice Shuwa, a lecturer at the Nigerian Law School.
Showcasing a Vision for the Future
Further enriching the event will be showcase sessions that look ahead. ‘A Peep into the Future: Vision for an Inclusive Bar’ and ‘Innovations Beyond Triumph: Stories, Technologies and Pathways Transforming Disability Inclusion’ will be discussed by a panel including Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe (SAN), Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), and Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN). Representatives from LawPavilion and Baba Telehealth will also contribute, with moderators Chinelo Audrey Ofoegbunam and Tosan Mene guiding the conversations.
Under the overarching theme ‘Beyond Triumphs: Advancing Inclusion, Impact and Leadership for Persons with Disabilities’, this conference represents a significant step forward for the Nigerian Bar Association and its commitment to building a truly inclusive and representative legal profession.
