Vendors threaten to occupy NBA secretariat over alleged indebtedness

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is facing a credibility crisis as vendors who provided services at the association’s annual conferences threaten to occupy the NBA secretariat in Abuja. The vendors, who have been left unpaid for their services, are frustrated by the NBA’s repeated failure to honour its financial obligations.

This is not the first time the NBA has faced this issue. Vendors had to protest two years ago over unpaid debts and again last year. Despite promises to rectify the situation, the NBA has again failed to pay its vendors, leaving them to suffer financial hardship.

As of today, over six months into 2025, the NBA still owes millions of naira to vendors who provided services at last year’s conference. The affected vendors, who have been patiently waiting for payment, have now lost confidence in the NBA’s ability to honour its debts.

“We have been patient for too long,” said a spokesperson for the vendors. “We have written letters, made phone calls, and even protested twice before. But still, the NBA has refused to pay us. We have no choice but to occupy the NBA secretariat until our debts are paid.”

The vendors’ decision to occupy the NBA secretariat is a desperate measure, but one that they feel is necessary to draw attention to their plight. They are calling on the NBA leadership to take immediate action to settle their debts and restore the association’s reputation.

The NBA’s failure to pay its vendors is not only a breach of contract but also a betrayal of trust. It is unacceptable that an association that prides itself on promoting justice and fairness cannot even honour its own financial obligations.

As the vendors prepare to occupy the NBA secretariat, they are calling on the association’s leadership to take responsibility for their actions. They are demanding that the NBA pays its debts and takes concrete steps to prevent this situation from happening again in the future.

The occupation of the NBA secretariat is a wake-up call for the association’s leadership. It is time for them to take responsibility for their actions and to take concrete steps to restore the association’s reputation. The vendors will no longer be ignored, and they will fight for what is rightfully theirs.