“Unfair Fees”: Ikeja NBA Branch Challenges AGC Fare Hike, Warns Against Boycott

The Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, popularly known as “Tiger Bar”, has demanded that the Annual General Conference Planning Committee rescind the approved registration fees for the 2024 conference at 2023 rates , under penalty of a total boycott of the sector.

At its monthly general meeting held on May 5, 2024, the branch unanimously condemned the “exorbitant” fees approved by the NBA National Executive Council for the upcoming Annual General Conference scheduled to take place in Lagos State in August.

Approved fees for the 2024 AGC range from N50,000 for early registration for junior lawyers (1-9 years after call) to N750,000 for on-site registration of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Attorneys General and lawyers. Counselors. This represents a significant increase from the 2023 rates, which ranged from N15,000 to N600,000 for the same categories.

In a strongly worded resolution, the Tiger Bar, known for its fiery temper, called the skyrocketing registration fees “unfair” and called for an immediate reversal of the previous year’s fees.

Failure to comply with this requirement, the industry warns, would result in a complete boycott of the conference by its members.

The Tiger Bar’s resolution comes amid growing concerns within the legal community about the rising costs of attending the NBA’s flagship event, seen as a crucial platform for professional development, networking and deliberations on critical issues affecting the legal profession and the nation.

The NBA National Executive Council and the MCO planning committee have yet to respond to Tiger Bar’s ultimatum. However, the potential boycott from one of the NBA’s largest and most influential branches could potentially impact conference attendance and overall success.