RismadarVoice Reporters, August 4, 2026
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced former President of Liberia, George Manneh Weah, as the keynote speaker for its 2026 Annual General Conference (AGC) scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The announcement was made by the Chairman of the NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee (AGCPC), Abdul Muhammed, SAN, who said Weah’s selection reflects the association’s commitment to enriching discussions around this year’s conference theme, “Beyond Limits.”
The former Liberian leader, who served as President from 2018 to 2024, is expected to share insights on leadership, governance, democracy and public service at what is regarded as the largest gathering of legal practitioners in Nigeria.
According to the NBA, Weah demonstrated exemplary leadership during his presidency by voluntarily reducing his salary and benefits by 25 per cent upon assuming office and implementing reforms that expanded access to education, including tuition-free public university education.
The association also highlighted his peaceful transfer of power after narrowly losing Liberia’s 2023 presidential runoff election, describing his decision to accept the outcome without litigation or political crisis as a remarkable demonstration of democratic values and statesmanship.
Before venturing into politics, Weah distinguished himself as one of Africa’s greatest football icons. In 1995, he became the first and remains the only African to win the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player of the Year and African Footballer of the Year awards in the same year.
Beyond football, the former Liberian President served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from 1997 and received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in 2004 for his humanitarian efforts in support of children affected by conflict, disease and poverty.
The NBA noted that Weah holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Public Administration from DeVry University, Florida, and has received three honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters in recognition of his contributions to sports, education, peace-building, humanitarian service and good governance.
The association said this year’s conference comes at a critical period in Nigeria’s democratic journey and will provide a platform for robust discussions on national development, governance, the rule of law and the future of the legal profession ahead of the country’s next general elections.
The conference follows the successful 2025 edition held in Enugu, where South African politician Julius Malema delivered the keynote address on the theme, “Stand Out, Stand Tall.” The NBA expressed confidence that the 2026 conference would further strengthen legal discourse and serve as a reference point for years to come.
