…to Train 7,000 Lawyers, Expand Legal Aid For Children Nationwide
ABUJA — The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has secured a major institutional partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, for the implementation of a nationwide Justice for Children and Young People programme valued at ₦120 million.
The NBA announced the development on its official X handle on Monday.
The institutional contract, which runs from July 9, 2026 to March 30, 2027, marks the return of a significant international development partnership with the NBA after years of diminished donor-funded engagement.
A Vote Of Confidence
The partnership is seen as a defining milestone for the administration of former NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and underscores the Association’s renewed credibility and growing influence.
Following the conclusion of the Association’s long-standing support from the MacArthur Foundation, many believed such large-scale collaborations would be difficult to restore. The new agreement with UNICEF signals strong confidence in the NBA’s capacity to deliver impactful national programmes and reinforces its position as a trusted stakeholder in justice sector reform.
Scope Of The Project
Under the agreement, the NBA will spearhead a comprehensive programme aimed at strengthening access to justice for children and young persons through:
- Policy engagement and advocacy for child-friendly justice reforms
- Nationwide capacity building for lawyers
- Expansion of pro bono legal representation for children
- Quality assurance, mentoring, and community awareness campaigns
- Initiatives that amplify children’s participation in justice processes
- Establishment of structured legal aid mechanisms and diversion programmes
- Development of monitoring systems
The project also includes the training and certification of more than 7,000 lawyers across the country.
Expected Outcomes
The programme is expected to deliver improved access to timely legal representation for children, increased use of diversion and non-custodial measures, reduced detention of children, stronger legal aid systems nationwide, and the development of sustainable policy frameworks that advance child rights and child-sensitive justice administration in Nigeria.
“This partnership is more than a project. It is a testament to the NBA’s renewed institutional relevance on the global stage,” the NBA stated. “It reflects an administration committed not only to defending the rule of law but also to forging strategic alliances that translate into meaningful impact for society.”
