Former Secretary NBA Maiduguri Branch Zakariya Muhammad Umar,urges NBA to consider moving Annual General Conference from August to October, November over rainfall

A former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Maiduguri Branch, Zakariya Muhammad Umar, has called on the NBA to reschedule its Annual General Conference from August to October or November annually.
Umar, in a memorandum addressed to the NBA President, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, FCIArb, said the proposed change was necessary to protect the welfare, safety and convenience of members.

He said the heavy rainfall and flooding experienced during the 2026 NBA Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, held from August 21 to 28, should serve as a catalyst for an institutional review of the timing of the conference.

According to him, the inclement weather disrupted the conference environment, leaving some areas flooded and muddy and making movement difficult for participants.

He argued that holding the NBA's largest annual gathering in August, which falls within Nigeria's peak rainy season, exposes thousands of lawyers and other participants to avoidable difficulties, including flooding, transportation challenges and disruption of conference activities.

Umar stressed that there was no constitutional requirement for the NBA's Annual General Conference to be held in August.

He cited Section 11(1) of the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended), which provides that the Annual General Conference shall hold on dates determined by the National Executive Committee, adding that the provision does not prescribe August as the mandatory month.
He further pointed to the 2021 NBA AGC in Port Harcourt, which was held from October 22 to 29, as evidence that the conference could successfully be organised outside the traditional August period.

The lawyer also invoked the NBA's constitutional responsibility to promote the welfare, security and economic advancement of members.

He said lawyers travel from different parts of Nigeria and beyond, incurring substantial costs on registration, transportation and accommodation to attend the AGC, making their safety and comfort important considerations in determining the conference date.

“The pertinent issue isn't whether the AGC can technically be held in August despite heavy rainfall, but why thousands of members should endure avoidable hardship when the NBA Constitution explicitly allows NEC to set a better date?” he asked.

Umar said October or November would provide a more practical window for the annual gathering, particularly by reducing the likelihood of weather-related disruptions in many parts of the country.

He added that the change would also enable conference planning committees to make better arrangements for venues, transportation, exhibitions and outdoor activities while reducing contingency expenses arising from adverse weather.

He therefore urged Badejo-Okusanya to table the proposal before the National Executive Committee for consideration and adoption of October or November as the preferred period for future AGCs.

Umar maintained that while tradition was important, it should not stand in the way of institutional reform and members' welfare.
“The time to reconsider August AGC is now,” he declared.