The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) and the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice of the New York City Bar Association have agreed to partner in advancing delivery of pro bono services to those who are in need of such services.
The strategic partnership is designed to institutionalise pro bono legal services and strengthen public interest lawyering especially in Nigeria.
Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, Prof. Paul Ananaba (SAN), disclosed this in Lagos during an interactive session held as part of activities ahead of the SPIDEL 2025 Annual Conference.
Ananaba noted that SPIDEL is at the heartbeart of NBA's defence of civil rights and liberties, adding that this was seen rcently when NBA-SPIDEL secured a court injunction against the enforcement of the tinted glass enforcement by the Nigerian Police Force against motorists.
The senior lawyer commended the Vance Centre for the initiative, adding that the section was ready to mobilize its teeming members and other stakeholders "to ensure the success of this all-important programme."
assured that the section was determined to partner the Vance Centre on the project
The senior advocate also announced that the SPIDEL 2025 conference will be held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on December 5, 2025, and would focus on reforms in justice administration, governance, and international collaboration to advance human rights and public accountability.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Africa Initiative at the Vance Centre, Adaobi Egboka, stated that the partnership would promote access to justice and development.
Egboka explained that the Vance Centre, a non-profit arm of the New York City Bar Association, works globally to advance justice through cross-border legal collaborations, institutional integrity, and pro bono initiatives.
She said the Centre operates through four major programme areas that include environment, human rights and access to justice, institutional integrity, and public interest reporting, all geared toward strengthening democracy and the rule of law.
She noted that the proposed partnership would assist the NBA in developing a structured national framework for pro bono work, creating a database of participating law firms, and establishing metrics to measure and report contributions to pro bono work.
Egboka then called for collaboration in formulating a “Pro Bono Declaration for Africa,” modelled after the Pro Bono Declaration of the Americas, which commits lawyers and law firms to dedicating a specified number of hours yearly to provide free legal services for underserved populations.
She said that such a declaration would foster greater accountability within the legal profession, promote inclusivity, and expand access to justice for vulnerable groups.
The Chair of the NBA-SPIDEL 2025 Annual Conference Planning Committee, Assoc. Prof. Uju Agomoh, noted that the conference will also focus on public interest issues, urging the Vance Centre to participate actively in the conference.
On his part, defence attorney and former NBA-SPIDEL Council Member, Mr. Emeka Nwadioke noted that the Nigeria's pro bono sector "is in nothing short of a crisis," adding that has impeded access to justice.
The event was moderated by former NBA Ikeja Branch Public Relations Officer and NBA-SPIDEL CPC member, Mr. Wale Ogunade.
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