Former Lagos State Governor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is expected to deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Annual Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, in a gathering set to spotlight governance reform, economic development, and institutional accountability.
This was disclosed on Friday in Lagos by the Chairman of the Law Week Planning Committee, Mr. Chukwudi Kachikwu Enebeli, SAN, during a press briefing ahead of the programme.
According to him, Fashola will speak on the theme, “Law, Leadership and the Ballot: Governance Beyond Politics,” at the opening plenary session of the event. The Law Week itself is themed “Altering the Status Quo: Going Against the Norm” and is scheduled to hold from June 19 to June 25 at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.
Enebeli explained that the choice of the former governor is informed by his extensive public service experience, including his eight-year tenure as Lagos State governor and his time as Minister of Works and Housing. He noted that the keynote address will explore governance structures that prioritise efficiency, institutional continuity, and sustainable development beyond electoral cycles.
He added that the programme has been designed to encourage robust discussions on Nigeria’s governance challenges, with emphasis on improving accountability, strengthening institutions, and advancing national development.
A major feature of the week will be the Business Forum themed “Accelerating the Future of the Nigerian Economy,” which will bring together policymakers, economists, investors, and industry leaders to assess the country’s economic direction and reform needs.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, is among the key speakers expected at the forum. Discussions will focus on trade policy, investment promotion, industrial growth, and strategies to enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
The organisers also announced a special session for young lawyers themed “The Grind Before the Glory,” aimed at mentoring early-career practitioners on ethics, leadership, career development, and the evolving demands of legal practice.
Other sessions scheduled for the week include the Bar and Bench dialogue titled “What is Expected on the Other Side of the Coin,” as well as the Alao Aka-Bashorun Memorial Lecture themed “2027: Building a Nation Where No Man is Oppressed.”
The programme will also feature additional activities such as a health walk, interfaith services, and a Chairman’s Dinner, alongside the formal discussions.
Speaking separately, the Chairman of the NBA Ikeja Branch, Adeniyi Quadri, described the Law Week as a key platform for national engagement at a time when demands for stronger institutions, transparency, and effective governance continue to grow.
He expressed confidence that the discussions would produce meaningful recommendations to strengthen institutional performance and deepen collaboration between the legal profession, government, and wider society.
Registration for all sessions has been announced as free and open to lawyers and members of the public interested in the discourse.
