Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, has urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to embrace gender equity in its leadership roles.
“It is disheartening that we have not had a female president of the Bar for over three decades,” Justice Dongban-Mensem remarked during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Annual General Conference of the NBA on Sunday, held at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos.
Addressing a gathering of legal professionals and dignitaries, the Appeal Court President emphasized the importance of gender equity within the NBA. At the NBA’s election in July, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afam Osigwe was elected as the incoming president, following Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), with predecessors including Olumide Akpata and Paul Usoro. Despite this, Justice Dongban-Mensem pointed out the need for the Bar to reflect justice and equity by electing a female president.
“Equity and vibrant justice, particularly in terms of gender, should be reinforced and visibly practiced within the Nigerian Bar Association,” she asserted. “It is concerning that since the association’s inception, only one woman, Dame Priscilla Kuye, has held the position of President, and that was from 1991 to 1992. In a profession that nearly achieves gender balance, this lack of female leadership is troubling. We cannot advocate for equity in a progressive society while remaining regressive in our own ranks. More needs to be done.”
The conference, themed “Pressing Forward: A National Posture to Rebuilding Nigeria,” featured prominent figures from both Nigeria and abroad. The keynote address was delivered by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Former Ghanaian President John Mahama was in attendance, while President Bola Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima. Other notable attendees included Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and representatives for Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.