A group of former chairmen of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch, have lauded the appointment of former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, as a member of the Body of Benchers, describing it as a “fitting recognition of excellence, integrity and decades of selfless service.”
In a detailed congratulatory letter dated April 13, 2026, the former NBA leaders said Fashola’s elevation to the apex body responsible for the regulation of legal education and professional discipline in Nigeria was both meritorious and symbolic of his enduring impact on the legal profession.
The signatories—Dr. Nurudeen A. Ogbara (Chairman, 2006–2008), Dr. Anthony K. Ebeh (2008–2010), Chief S.O.K. Shillings (2012–2014), and Prince (Dr.) Habeeb A. Adetunji (2014–2016)—collectively described the appointment as “one of the most outstanding in recent decades,” stressing that the Body of Benchers requires individuals of proven competence, ethical soundness, and visionary leadership.
They noted that Fashola’s nearly three-decade career in law and governance has been marked by “brilliance, pragmatism, discipline, and a deep commitment to nation-building,” adding that his record across multiple public offices sets him apart as a worthy addition to the prestigious body.
The former chairmen traced Fashola’s professional journey from his days as a legal practitioner to his role as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Lagos State, before his emergence as governor between 2007 and 2015. They credited his administration with far-reaching reforms, particularly in the justice sector, where he was said to have driven a “radical transformation” in the administration of justice in Lagos State.
They also highlighted his tenure as Minister of Works and Housing from 2015 to 2023, during which he oversaw major infrastructure projects and policy initiatives aimed at improving transportation networks and housing delivery across the country.
According to the group, Fashola’s leadership during the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria further demonstrated his capacity for crisis management, noting that his contributions helped in curtailing the spread of the virus and mitigating its broader socio-economic impact.
Intellectual Contributions and Public Engagements
Beyond public office, the letter emphasized Fashola’s intellectual depth, referencing several keynote lectures and public presentations delivered over the years. These include his discourse on “Duty and Citizenship: The Social Contract” at the Justice Idigbe Memorial Lecture in 2023, and his presentation on “Economic Recovery for Nigeria: Problems and Prospects” at the Egbe Amofin Oodua Conference in 2024.
They also cited his lecture titled “Ethics, Morality, and the Law,” delivered in honour of Supreme Court Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru, as well as his address at the maiden annual lecture of the Body of Benchers in 2025, where he examined the evolution and future of ethical standards in the legal profession.
The former NBA leaders described these engagements as evidence of Fashola’s “well-researched, Solomonic intellectual output” and his commitment to advancing legal and policy discourse in Nigeria.
The letter further catalogued several honours received by Fashola, including the NBA Ikorodu Branch’s Exemplary Leadership of the Bar Award in 2008 and Excellence in Leadership Award in 2013.
They also referenced his receipt of the Stephen J. Solarz Award of the International Crisis Group in 2015, as well as his recognition among the “100 Top Global Thinkers” by an international policy organisation. Additional commendations from global platforms such as TIME Magazine and The Economist were cited as reinforcing his reputation as a reform-driven and results-oriented leader.
Expressing confidence in his new role, the former chairmen said Fashola’s “vast and variegated experience, analytical insight, and unwavering commitment to ethical conduct” would positively influence the Body of Benchers and strengthen Nigeria’s legal system.
They added that his appointment comes at a time when the legal profession requires individuals with “courage, integrity, patriotism and clarity of purpose” to uphold standards and inspire confidence in the justice system.
The group also used the opportunity to urge Fashola to compile his numerous lectures and intellectual contributions into books, noting that such publications would serve as valuable resources for future generations.
The former NBA Ikorodu leaders concluded by expressing optimism about Fashola’s continued rise within the legal profession, stating their expectation that he could eventually become a Life Bencher and possibly Chairman of the Body of Benchers.
They wished him success in the new role and expressed hope that his tenure would usher in “greater ethical compliance, impactful leadership, and sustained advancement of the legal profession in Nigeria.”
