Celebrated human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, SAN, will take centre stage at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference on August 26, 2025, as a panelist on the theme Citizens’ Rights & Security Concerns.
Born on May 20, 1958, in Ilawe-Ekiti, Falana’s academic and professional journey spans decades of unbroken commitment to defending the oppressed and advancing the rule of law.
After earning his law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1981 and his call to the Bar in 1982, he quickly built a reputation for fearless representation of political detainees, victims of state abuse, and journalists silenced by oppressive regimes.
As Principal Partner at Falana & Falana Chambers, which he co-manages with his wife, Funmi Falana, SAN, he has played a decisive role in landmark legal battles within Nigeria and before regional courts, including victories at the ECOWAS Court against media clampdowns and violations of civic freedoms.
His leadership extends beyond the courtroom—having served as President of the West African Bar Association, Secretary-General of the African Bar Association, and head of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights.
Falana’s accolades, from the Bernard Simons Memorial Award of the International Bar Association to the Defender of the Year Award of the International League for Human Rights, reflect global recognition of his work in safeguarding liberties.
At the NBA-AGC, participants can expect him to distil decades of advocacy into a powerful message on bridging the trust gap between the public, the legal profession, and security agencies.
He is likely to press for institutional accountability, stronger legal protections for citizens, and a more transparent justice system that actively supports peace and stability.
Delegates will leave the session not merely informed but challenged—armed with practical strategies to transform legal advocacy into a force that protects rights and reinforces national security in a turbulent socio-political climate.
