Agbakoba, Ojo, and Etomi among six Nigerian lawyers set to be honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards

Being recognised for his contributions to human rights and civil liberties with a Lifetime Achievement Award is not just a personal achievement but a renewed responsibility to continue supporting the cause of justice and human rights, said Dr Olisa Agbakoba SAN, the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

In a letter to the organisers accepting the honour, Agbakoba reportedly noted the contributions of colleagues, mentors, family members, friends and organisations whose support had helped shape his work and achievements. He added that he hoped his journey would inspire younger Nigerians to defend justice, protect vulnerable people and promote the dignity and rights of every human being.

This week, Agbakoba shared on social media that he hoped this recognition serves as a valuable reminder to not measure the worth of your work solely by title, visibility or immediate results. “Some of the most consequential work is slow, difficult, and not always applauded at the time. There will be moments when defending a principle is inconvenient, or when progress feels frustratingly small. The key question is whether the work remains necessary and whether you are willing to keep doing it.”

Agbakoba, a human rights advocate, is one of six prominent Nigerian lawyers who are set to receive Lifetime Achievement Awards at Gavel International’s Annual Lecture and Awards on 17 November, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the legal profession, civil society, and national development. 

The others are Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice; George Etomi, the former pioneer Chair of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law; Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, a constitutional lawyer; Kayode Filani, a property and housing expert; and Inuro Wills, an environmental lawyer. 

Nigerian corporate law firm George Etomi & Partners, which was established in 1984 and now has offices in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, celebrated their founder this week, calling him “a trailblazer in commercial law” for decades in Nigeria, whose “contribution to law, business and national development is truly legendary”. 

The six Lifetime Achievement Awards being presented next month form part of this year’s Ernest Sisei Ikoli Foundation/Gavel International Annual Lecture and Awards, an initiative designed to celebrate distinguished Nigerians whose professional achievements and public service have made significant contributions to society.

Gavel International, an online news platform with a special focus on law, the administration of justice and the rule of law, maintains that an effective justice system and respect for the rule of law are indispensable to national development. Based in Lagos, it also organises public lectures, and conferences on major national issues, including judicial reform, human rights, electoral matters, and security.

It began its lecture series in 2015. 

This year it has partnered with the Ernest Sisei Ikoli Foundation, which honours the legacy of a pioneering Nigerian journalist, nationalist, and politician.

The foundation celebrates Ernest Sisei Ekoli (1893-1960)’s contributions to journalism, democracy, freedom, and the struggle against discrimination and colonial rule, while encouraging contemporary leaders and professionals to uphold the values of integrity and public service associated with his career. Ekoli was the first Nigerian editor of the Daily Times, and played a prominent role in the development of Nigeria’s early political movements, including the Nigerian Youth Movement. 

The 2026 lecture, titled “Electoral Process in Nigeria: Managing the Boundaries of Judicial Intervention”, will be delivered by retired Court of Appeal Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie, and focus on the increasingly debated role of the judiciary in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Chief Anthony George-Ikoli, SAN, a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Bayelsa State, will chair the event, to be held in the Main Hall of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 17 November, with lawyer and activist Femi Falana, SAN, moderating a panel discussion following the Justice’s lecture.