The Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF) is delighted to announce the successful signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the 19th of May, 2026.
This landmark partnership marks a significant milestone in the Forum’s continued commitment to the advancement, empowerment, and professional development of women lawyers in Nigeria.
The collaboration between the NBAWF and the NHRC is designed to build the capacity of female lawyers within the Forum by creating sustainable opportunities for training, mentorship, research, advocacy, and practical engagement in human rights protection and enforcement.
Speaking on the significance of the partnership, the NBAWF reaffirmed its dedication to promoting gender justice, strengthening institutional collaborations, and equipping women lawyers with the knowledge, skills, and exposure necessary to thrive in both public and private legal practice while contributing meaningfully to nation building.
The Memorandum of Understanding aims to achieve the following objectives:
- Organizing Joint Workshops, Seminars, and Training Programmes
The NBAWF and NHRC will jointly organize workshops, seminars, conferences, and specialized training programmes focused on human rights law, gender justice, leadership development, and emerging issues affecting women in the legal profession. These programmes are expected to enhance the professional competence and advocacy capacity of women lawyers across Nigeria.
- Mentorship and Career Advancement
The partnership will establish mentorship schemes connecting experienced human rights practitioners, senior lawyers, and NHRC officers with women lawyers in both public and private sectors. This initiative is intended to foster career growth, professional guidance, leadership development, and intergenerational knowledge sharing within the legal profession.
- Research and Policy Development
Both institutions will collaborate on research projects, policy papers, publications, and advocacy campaigns aimed at strengthening the protection of women’s rights and advancing gender equality in Nigeria. The partnership will also provide a platform for women lawyers to contribute to legal reforms and policy discussions.
- Human Rights Advocacy
The MoU will support the active participation of women lawyers in human rights monitoring, reporting, documentation, and community-based interventions led by the NHRC. Through this collaboration, female lawyers engaged in human rights practice will have greater opportunities to engage directly in initiatives that promote access to justice and build their capacity.
- Public Awareness and Outreach
The NBAWF and NHRC will jointly promote human rights education and awareness through community engagement programmes, media advocacy, publications, and public enlightenment campaigns. This objective underscores the shared commitment of both institutions to expanding legal awareness and promoting a culture of respect for human rights.
- Internship and Exchange Opportunities
The partnership will create internship placements and short-term exchange programmes within the NHRC to expose women lawyers to practical experiences in human rights enforcement, institutional processes, and public service.
These opportunities are expected to broaden the professional horizons of participants and strengthen their practical understanding of human rights mechanisms in Nigeria.
The NBAWF considers this partnership a strategic and impactful step towards empowering women lawyers and deepening their role in promoting justice, equality, and human rights protection in Nigeria.
As the Forum continues to champion the interests of women in the legal profession, it looks forward to leveraging on this MoU to implement impactful programmes, strengthen professional capacity, expand opportunities for members, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of human rights and gender inclusion nationwide.
The NBAWF expresses its appreciation to the leadership of the National Human Rights Commission particularly the Director Legal and the Legal Department as a whole for its commitment to this collaboration and remains optimistic that the partnership will yield long-term benefits for women lawyers.
