Standing Tall for Justice: Lessons from Julius Malema’s Keynote at NBA-AGC 2025

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Standing Tall for Justice: Lessons from Julius Malema’s Keynote at NBA-AGC 2025
The Opening Ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference 2025 in Enugu was more than a spectacle of tradition and pageantry; it was a call to courage.

In a charged keynote address, Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters, reminded us that the law is not merely an instrument of regulation, but a weapon of liberation. He spoke with urgency about the duty of the legal profession to defend dignity, resist oppression, and give voice to the voiceless.

Malema’s words cut to the heart of our responsibility as lawyers:

That the law must liberate, not just regulate.

That our duty is to stand tall against injustice, no matter how entrenched.

That Africa must not remain shackled to the chains of neo-colonial dependency.

That we, as lawyers, must re imagine institutions, restore dignity, and safeguard the independence of our people.


As I listened, I was reminded that leadership at the Bar is not defined by privilege or titles. It is measured by service, the willingness to shoulder difficult truths, to challenge oppression, and to inspire hope where despair has taken root.

The theme of this year’s conference, “Stand Out, Stand Tall,” is not a slogan; it is a charge. A charge to every lawyer, young and old, to rise with integrity, courage, and unity in advancing justice. It is a reminder that our collective strength lies not in silence but in action.

For me, the takeaway is clear: the Bar must project more than legal excellence — it must project courage, service, and integrity. A Bar that is not only respected but also trusted to fight for justice, to inspire society, and to shape Africa’s future.

Let this AGC be our turning point, where we choose courage over complacency, unity over division, and justice over silence. The Bar must not only stand out but also stand tall for generations to come.

— Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN

#NBAAGC2025 #StandOutStandTall #ProjectBar #LeadershipWithGrace #UnityForTheBar

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