By Lanre Oloyede
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has urged the judiciary, the National Judicial Council, and other relevant authorities to intentionally consider and appoint qualified lawyers with disabilities to the Bench.
Hon. Abba Isa stressed that court buildings across Nigeria must be fully accessible—with functional elevators, ramps, inclusive restrooms, and assistive features—to ensure unhindered access for persons with disabilities. He noted that true inclusion in the justice system remains incomplete without representation at the point where justice is interpreted and delivered.
The Senior presidential aide made the call at the 2025 Annual Con ference of the Nigerian Bar Association Lawyers with Disabilities Forum (NBA-LWDF), held in Asaba, Delta State.
The SSA commended the leadership and members of the NBA-LWDF for their steadfast commitment to advancing inclusion, accessibility, and leadership opportunities for persons with disabilities within the legal profession and the wider society.
This year’s conference, themed “Beyond Triumphs: Advancing Inclusion, Impact, and Leadership for Persons with Disabilities,” brought together legal practitioners, policy experts, and disability-rights advocates.
Dignitaries at the event included the Executive Governor of Delta State; the Honourable Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Theresa Diai; the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State; the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Delta State; the President of the Nigerian Bar Association; the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly; Senior Advocates of Nigeria, senior lawyers, and other distinguished guests.
Discussions at the conference focused on legal frameworks for accessibility, empowerment of lawyers with disabilities, and emerging technologies driving disability inclusion. Various speakers addressed sub-themes such as leadership development and mentorship, inclusive workplace practices, personal success stories, institutional support systems, and stakeholder collaborations for sustainable impact.
The NBA-LWDF Annual Conference remains one of Nigeria’s most impactful platforms dedicated to promoting inclusion, accessibility, and leadership opportunities for persons with disabilities within and beyond the legal community.
Goodwill Messages
In his goodwill message, Hon. Abba Isa reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strong stance against occupational discrimination targeting lawyers with disabilities. He noted that it is unacceptable for individuals who have fulfilled all professional requirements and taken an oath to uphold justice to still face barriers based solely on disability.
He lamented that many courts in Nigeria remain inaccessible, forcing lawyers, litigants, and witnesses with disabilities to endure indignity in spaces meant for the delivery of justice.
Message of Hope
Hon. Abba Isa said: “To every lawyer with a disability, every aspiring law student, every parent, and every advocate here today: You are not alone. The Renewed Hope Administration sees you, hears you, and stands firmly with you.”
He emphasized the government’s commitment to building a Nigeria where disability is never a barrier and where all citizens can aspire, lead, and contribute meaningfully.
Welcome Remarks
Barr. Augustine Nwabueze Eseagwu, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, welcomed participants to the serene city of Asaba. He noted that the conference theme is both timely and necessary as stakeholders continue to push the frontiers of inclusion and ensure that leadership remains barrier-free.
He emphasized that the one-day conference aims not only to discuss issues but to strategize, learn, and empower participants to deliver lasting impact.
Opening Address
In her opening remarks, Chairperson of the NBA-LWDF, Ms. Patience Nkeonyeasua Etumudon, said the theme challenges society to move beyond stories of resilience to measurable progress in equity, accessibility, and leadership.
Since its inception in 2021, she said, the Forum has advocated for disability legislation across states, pushed for accessible court infrastructure, and created platforms for active participation of lawyers with disabilities in Bar affairs.
She highlighted unemployment as one of the most pressing challenges, noting that many qualified lawyers with disabilities continue to face systemic barriers—not due to lack of competence, but due to non-inclusive structures.
She urged stakeholders to use the conference as an opportunity to design intentional pathways for inclusion and advancement.
She also noted that the timing of the conference aligns with the global commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.
Other Goodwill Messages
Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya applauded the conference theme for its clarity and purpose, stressing that true inclusion demands that the legal profession transform awareness into action and representation into meaningful leadership.
Comrade Ernest Uyi Edomwonyi, President of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria, commended the Forum’s efforts, saying the theme reflects the ethics of excellence and inclusivity that the Association upholds. He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to strengthening inclusion across the justice sector.
In his special address, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Delta State, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN highlighted the Ministry’s support for lawyers with disabilities, including providing air travel and other essential assistance to enable their participation in major NBA events. He credited the State’s MORE Agenda—Meaningful Development Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security—for driving these inclusive initiatives.
He thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his unwavering support and welcomed participants to the beautiful city of Asaba, encouraging them to explore its hospitality and cultural richness.
