The Warri Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has joined the growing list of branches expressing their dissatisfaction with the high registration fees for the upcoming Annual General Conference (AGC).

During its monthly meeting on Sunday, May 19, 2024, the branch unanimously resolved to boycott the conference if the fees are not reduced to more affordable levels.

This decision comes on the heels of a similar resolution by the Ikeja Branch, popularly known as the ‘Tiger Bar,’ which demanded that the AGC Planning Committee reverse the approved registration fees for the 2024 conference to the 2023 rates or face a full boycott from the branch.

The approved fees for the 2024 AGC have sparked outrage among many lawyers, with rates ranging from N50,000 for an early bird registration for young lawyers (1-9 years post-call) to a staggering N750,000 for on-site registration for Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Attorneys General, and Benchers. These fees represent a significant increase from the 2023 rates, which ranged from N15,000 to N600,000 for the same categories.

The Warri Branch’s resolution echoes the sentiments expressed by the Tiger Bar, describing the increased registration fees as “unfair” and calling for an immediate reversal to more affordable rates. The branch has made it clear that failure to comply with this demand will result in a complete boycott of the conference by its members.

The potential boycott by the Warri Branch, along with the Ikeja Branch, could have a significant impact on the conference’s attendance and overall success. The AGC is seen as a crucial platform for professional development, networking, and deliberations on critical issues affecting the legal profession and the nation.

The growing discontent among NBA branches highlights the need for the NBA National Executive Council and the AGC Planning Committee to address the concerns raised by members regarding the accessibility and affordability of the conference. Many lawyers argue that the high registration fees may exclude a significant portion of the legal community, particularly young lawyers and those from less affluent regions.

As the date of the AGC draws closer, the NBA leadership faces increasing pressure to find a resolution that balances the financial sustainability of the conference with the need to ensure broad participation from all segments of the legal profession.

The Warri Branch’s resolution adds to the mounting calls for a review of the AGC registration fees, and it remains to be seen how the NBA National Executive Council and the AGC Planning Committee will respond to these demands in the coming weeks.