Distinguished Colleagues,
For far too many members of this Association, the annual payment of the Bar Practising Fee has been an exercise in institutional obligation without a corresponding experience of institutional value. The question that too many lawyers ask but rarely say aloud is: what, precisely, does my BPF get me?
Under an LOA presidency, that question has twelve specific answers.
One: Free digital stamp and seal for all members on payment of the BPF, with permanent migration to a secure digital imprint stamp that eliminates the logistical failures of the current physical distribution system.
Two: Free access to Law Pavilion, the New Weekly Law Reports, and electronic law reports for all lawyers of zero to ten years at the Bar, removing a significant recurring cost of practice from the members who can least absorb it.
Three: Reactivation of the N1.5 billion single-digit interest rate loan scheme, with improved accessibility, clearer eligibility criteria, and an Islamic finance option for members who require non-interest arrangements.
Four: Increase in the NBA life insurance payout from N2 million to N4 million in the event of death or complete incapacitation, with corresponding upward reviews for terminal illness and partial incapacitation.
Five: Free qualitative training through the NBA-ICLE, with at least seven CPD hours available free to young lawyers every month.
Six: A comprehensive NBA member application, NBA One, modelled on the International Bar Association's member platform, through which every member can interface with the Secretariat and conduct all NBA activities.
Seven: Free NBA Journal for all financial members on payment of the BPF.
Eight: A health insurance scheme open to all members, with twenty members per branch covered at no cost each year and a minimum additional health fund investment of N20 million.
Nine: Free Annual General Conference attendance for members who are seventy years and above, excluding Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
Ten: A twenty per cent reduction in conference fees for young lawyers.
Eleven: A national mentorship scheme for young lawyers, structured across three tracks: one-to-one mentorship pairing, group and speed mentorship, and the Law Firm Mentorship Initiative providing institutional guidance between established firms and start-up practices.
Twelve: Five per cent of the NBA's annual income set aside for career development, scholarships, and sponsorships specifically targeting young lawyers.
Each of these commitments is drawn directly from the published LOA manifesto. Each has a delivery mechanism. Each has a funding basis. None of them are new ideas that appeared only in election season. They are the coherent welfare programme of a candidate who understands what NBA membership should feel like.
Membership in the NBA should not feel like a tax. Under LOA, it will feel like belonging to an institution that is genuinely working for you.
Vote LOA. 18 July 2026.
A few days ago, I was called to the largest Bar in Africa!
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: G.C. Esom, Esq.
I am deeply grateful to God for the strength He provided to help me attain this milestone.
I proudly dedicate this achievement to my parents.
#calltobar2025
Only my loved ones (friends) and Family know what it took to get here, but the smile on my mothers face can give a glimpse to the reality of my testimony.
As from today it is:
Barrister Uzoigwe C.S [L.L.B, B.L, AICMC, ILA, MTI.]
#calltobar2025#lawyer
All the sacrifices paid off and there’s even more success ahead.
Never stop believing in yourself. Never give up
A dream fulfilled. A journey just beginning. Allow me to reintroduce myself:
I.O. Mustapha, Esq.
LL.B | B.L | AICMC | MTI-Accredited Mediator | ILA Member