The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has clarified that the ₦300 million received from the Rivers State Government was a goodwill donation, not a payment for hosting rights to its 2025 Annual General Conference.

In a statement on Monday, Emeka Obegolu, SAN and Chairman of the 2025 NBA Conference Planning Committee, stated that the decision to hold the conference in Port Harcourt was made in August 2024 and was not influenced by any financial inducement or bidding process.

Obegolu was reacting to a claim by the Rivers State Administrator suggesting that the state paid to host the conference.

“The NBA approaches organisations, agencies, and state governments for support due to the significant costs involved in hosting the conference,” the statement read. “Such support is purely voluntary and carries no conditions or hosting rights.”

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has expressed its readiness to host the event. Chairperson of the Enugu State Tourism Board, Rita Mbah, said the newly commissioned Enugu International Conference Centre has been designated for the gathering, and the state is committed to offering a seamless experience.

The NBA moved the conference venue from Rivers to Enugu in protest against President Tinubu’s replacement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara with retired naval officer Ibok-Ete Ibas as Administrator of Rivers State on 18 March 2025.