By Kolawole Omotola Olaide
Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is set to deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Annual Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association Ikeja Branch, where discussions will focus on governance, leadership, economic development, and institutional accountability.
The week-long event, scheduled to take place in Ikeja, Lagos, from June 19 to June 25, is themed “Altering the Status Quo: Going Against the Norm.”
Chairman of the Annual Law Week Planning Committee, Chukwudi Kachikwu Enebeli, disclosed that Fashola will deliver a keynote presentation titled “Law, Leadership and the Ballot: Governance Beyond Politics.”
According to Enebeli, the former governor is expected to draw from his experience in public service to highlight governance models that emphasize institutional stability, continuity, accountability, and sustainable development beyond electoral cycles.
He noted that the programme has been carefully designed to encourage meaningful conversations on Nigeria’s governance challenges while proposing practical solutions to improve public institutions and strengthen national development.
One of the major attractions of the Law Week will be a Business Forum themed “Accelerating the Future of the Nigerian Economy.” The session is expected to bring together policymakers, economists, investors, and business leaders to deliberate on strategies for economic growth and competitiveness.
Among the notable speakers expected at the forum is Jumoke Oduwole, who will speak on issues relating to trade policy, industrial development, investment opportunities, and economic reforms.
The programme will also feature a special session for young lawyers titled “The Grind Before the Glory,” aimed at mentoring emerging legal practitioners on ethics, professional growth, leadership, and career advancement.
Another key event, the Bar and Bench Forum, will focus on strengthening collaboration between legal practitioners and the judiciary under the theme “What is Expected on the Other Side of the Coin.”
Participants will equally attend the annual Alao Aka-Bashorun Memorial Lecture, themed “2027: Building a Nation Where No Man is Oppressed,” which is expected to examine issues surrounding justice, democracy, and national unity ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Other activities lined up for the week include a health walk, religious services, networking engagements, and the Chairman’s Dinner.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Chairman of the NBA Ikeja Branch, Adeniyi Quadri, described the Annual Law Week as a vital platform for national discourse, especially at a time when citizens are demanding greater transparency, stronger institutions, and improved governance outcomes.
Quadri expressed optimism that the deliberations would produce practical recommendations capable of enhancing institutional performance and promoting stronger collaboration among the legal profession, government institutions, and civil society.
He added that participation in the lecture sessions remains free and open to members of the legal profession and interested members of the public.
