The recently elected chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan Branch, Adekola Kareem, has officially assumed office, promising a transformative administration focused on members’ welfare, professional dignity and institutional growth.
Kareem, who emerged victorious in the branch election held on June 6, 2026, was sworn in on Saturday alongside eight other executive members during a ceremony at the Afe Babalola Bar Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
The nine-member executive committee took the oath of office before Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court.
Other officials inaugurated include Olusola Olorunfemi as Vice Chairman, David Adejorin as Secretary, Raheed Khan as Publicity Secretary, Idrees Openiyi as Financial Secretary, Tijesunimi Olugbinle as Social Secretary, Mofeyisara Ajao as Assistant Secretary, Temiloluwa Morakinyo as Treasurer and Timisola Adebisi as Welfare Secretary.
Delivering his inaugural address, Kareem described his election victory as both an honour and a responsibility, saying it placed on him the burden of converting campaign promises into tangible achievements for members of the branch.
He assured members that his administration would be driven by productivity, measurable results and impactful leadership rather than rhetoric, stressing that the commitments made during the campaign would remain the guiding principles of his tenure.
The new chairman said his administration would provide the necessary support for every executive member to implement programmes and initiatives capable of advancing the branch and improving the welfare of lawyers.
As part of his welfare-focused agenda, Kareem announced plans to establish the branch’s cooperative society, beginning with a revolving loan scheme designed to ease financial pressures on members.
He also disclosed that efforts were underway to develop an insurance framework that would provide coverage for members of the branch.
The chairman further pledged to pursue initiatives aimed at improving the remuneration and working conditions of legal practitioners while defending the dignity and independence of the profession.
According to him, legal practitioners should no longer be subjected to intimidation, harassment, humiliation or victimisation in the course of carrying out their professional duties.
He stated that the branch would take appropriate action whenever such incidents occur, regardless of whether they originate from judicial officers, law enforcement agencies or anti-corruption bodies.
Kareem also vowed to maintain a firm stance against quackery in the legal profession, promising to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to eliminate impostors posing as lawyers within the society.
Reaffirming his commitment to inclusiveness, he said the new leadership would work to reconnect with lawyers who had become disengaged from branch activities and ensure that every practitioner within the jurisdiction felt represented and involved in the affairs of the association.
Earlier, the immediate past chairman of the branch, Ibrahim Lawal, expressed confidence in the new leadership while formally handing over the affairs of the association.
Lawal disclosed that his administration left more than N50 million in the branch’s accounts and handed over what he described as a united and purposeful Bar.
He expressed optimism that the Kareem-led executive would build on existing achievements and take the NBA Ibadan Branch to greater heights.
