The attention of the 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) Planning Committee has been drawn to comments attributed to the Administrator of Rivers State, suggesting that the state government paid for hosting rights of the Nigerian Bar Association’s 2025 AGC.
We wish to make it clear that the decision to hold the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was made in August 2024. This decision was not the outcome of a bidding process, nor was it tied to any form of hosting rights or financial obligations from any state. The NBA does not confer or sell hosting rights, nor is there any representation that the conference must be held in any specific city.
As is customary, due to the significant cost of organizing the AGC, the NBA Conference Planning Committee routinely seeks support from public and private organizations—including state governments—on an unconditional basis. These contributions are considered goodwill gestures and not payments for hosting privileges.
In recent years, various state governments, corporate bodies, ministries, departments, and agencies have supported the NBA AGC as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives and in alignment with the NBA’s vision. The financial support received from the Rivers State Government falls within this tradition and was given as a gift, not as consideration for hosting rights.
Our focus remains on delivering a world-class conference for members of the Bar, and we will not be distracted by unnecessary controversies.
Emeka Obegolu, SAN
Chair, 2025 NBA AGC Planning Committee
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