Afam Osigwe sworn in as 32nd NBA president

Afam Osigwe, a senior advocate of Nigeria, has been sworn in as the 32nd president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Osigwe succeeds Yakubu Maikyau who became NBA president in 2022.

The swearing-in ceremony was held in Lagos on Thursday.

Osigwe will lead the association alongside other newly sworn-in national officers of the bar for the next two years.

In his inaugural speech, the NBA president commended his opponents, for their decorum during the electioneering process and asked them to join him in moving the association forward.

He promised to run an all-inclusive bar that moves the NBA forward.

“Under my watch, the Nigerian Bar Association will not shy away from holding the federal and state governments accountable. The rule of law must be upheld, and the rights of Nigerians must be protected,” he said.

“I am deeply honoured by this responsibility, and I pledge to work tirelessly to advance the interests of our members and the broader Nigerian society.”

Osigwe, a former general secretary of the association, polled 20,435 votes to defeat Tobenna Erojikwe, chairman of the NBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education Board, who garnered 10,998 votes.

Chukwuka Ikwuazom, former NBA Lagos branch chairman, scored 9,018 votes to get third place.

Ikwuazom had withdrawn from the presidential election hours before the online poll closed, citing a manipulation of the process.