The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has called for deliberate national action to strengthen Nigeria’s institutions, uphold the rule of law, and entrench transparency and accountability as the foundation for sustainable national growth.
Speaking while delivering a goodwill message at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, the NBA President addressed an audience comprising leaders from government, business, civil society, and academia, all united by a shared goal: building a more prosperous and inclusive Nigeria.
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, urged participants to leave the summit with a renewed sense of purpose and a collective resolution to consciously build the Nigeria “we all dream of and would be proud to call home.” He emphasized that meaningful reform requires not just policies, but the moral and institutional will to implement them.
Reflecting on the transformation story of Dubai, he noted that the city was once a mere vision in the minds of a few who dared to dream, plan, and act. “Through deliberate effort, accountability, and a clear sense of purpose, they transformed that vision into a global hub for investment, tourism, and enterprise,” he said. “That same deliberate and visionary commitment is what Nigeria now needs.”
The NBA President further observed that to truly build a nation that works, reforms must go beyond pronouncements. “We must strengthen our institutions and the rule of law while ensuring transparency and accountability in governance,” he said. “We must guarantee that investors can do business with confidence, knowing their funds are safe and can be repatriated without barriers. We must also uphold the sanctity and efficiency of our judicial system, where disputes are resolved swiftly, judgments are respected, and justice is truly seen to be done.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s aspirations for economic growth and shared prosperity would remain elusive unless the nation addresses the systemic challenges that undermine the rule of law and institutional trust. “Until we collectively take these steps,” he said, “our dreams of national transformation will remain deferred.”
Concluding his remarks, the NBA President issued a powerful call to action: “Let us not just talk about the Nigeria we want; let us build it together.”
