On August 29, 2024, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afam Osigwe, officially assumed office as the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Osigwe’s journey of victory started in July when he won the presidential race of the association.
Afam Osigwe garnered 20,435 votes to beat his closest contender, the Chairman of the NBA-Institute of Continuing Legal Education Governing Council, Tobenna Erojikwe, who pulled 10,998 votes.
Weeks after the election, Anambra-born Afam Osigwe was sworn in as the 32nd President of the NBA.
Osigwe succeeded Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, whose term came to an end on Thursday, August 29.
At the swearing-in ceremony which was held in Lagos, Osigwe gave his inaugural speech.
He pledged to hold both federal and state governments accountable, particularly on issues related to justice, equity, and the rule of law.
Also, he emphasised the critical role the NBA plays in society.
Did You Miss? Afam Osigwe Officially Becomes NBA President
Furthermore, he reaffirmed the NBA’s commitment to ensuring that government policies align with the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
This elevated position has left Osigwe in the spotlight.
Many people are eager to know about the man who will be heading the NBA for the next two years.
Here are some quick facts about the new NBA President:
- Afam Osigwe was born on the 25th of October 1972.
- The new NBA President attended Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha for his secondary education before proceeding to the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, to study law and was called to the Bar in 1999.
- He became Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN in 2020.
- He started legal practice with Chike Chigbue and Co. Abuja Office in 1999.
- He left the firm in 2002 to found his firm, the LAW FORTE (Legal Practitioners, Corporate Consultants and Notary Public).
- In 2006 he became a Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
- In 2010, he concluded a face-to-face tutorial at Keble College, Oxford, and obtained a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration.
- Osigwe became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) in 2011.
- He obtained a Master’s of Laws Degree (LL.M) from the University of Jos.He also holds another LL.M in (Transnational Commercial Practice) from the Centre for International Legal Studies, Austria (in collaboration with the Lazarsky University, Poland).
- Osigwe has appeared as a counsel in many arbitral proceedings as well as sat as a sole arbitrator or member of arbitral tribunals in commercial disputes.
- He was the last person to hold office as the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) for the entire Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
- Bwari and Gwagwalada Branches of NBA were created during his tenure as Chairman of the Unity Bar.
- By consent of the chairmen of Bwari and Gwagwalada Branches of the NBA, he became the first Chairman of Chairmen of NBA Branches in the FCT, in 2012.
- He became the General Secretary of the NBA in August 2014 and held that position till the expiration of his tenure on August 26, 2016.
