Former President of Liberia, George Weah, has been named the keynote speaker for the 2026 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chairman of the NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee, Abdul Muhammed (SAN), who said Weah's selection was in line with the association's resolve to deepen conversations around this year's conference theme, "Beyond Limits."
Muhammed said the former Liberian leader's wealth of experience in public service, sports and humanitarian work would enrich discussions at the conference, particularly as Nigeria approaches another electoral cycle.
According to the statement, Weah's remarkable journey from international football icon to President of Liberia exemplifies resilience, leadership and service.
Before entering politics, Weah established himself as one of Africa's greatest footballers, becoming the first and only African to win the Ballon d'Or, FIFA World Player of the Year Award and African Footballer of the Year Award in the same year, in 1995.
He later served as Liberia's President from 2018 to 2024 after years of public service, including his appointment as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1997.
The NBA also noted that Weah received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award from ESPN in 2004 in recognition of his humanitarian efforts on behalf of children affected by war, disease and poverty.
It added that he has been honoured with honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters by AME Zion University, Cuttington University and the University of Liberia for his contributions to sports, education, peace-building, humanitarian causes and good governance.
Highlighting his record in office, the statement said Weah reduced his salary and official benefits by 25 per cent shortly after assuming office, while his administration pursued infrastructure development and expanded access to higher education by making tuition free in public universities.
The NBA further praised Weah's peaceful transfer of power following Liberia's 2024 presidential election, noting that despite losing the runoff by a narrow margin of 50.64 per cent to 49.36 per cent, he accepted the outcome and handed over without contesting the result.
According to the association, the decision strengthened his reputation as a committed democrat and an African statesman dedicated to constitutional governance.
Muhammed said the conference would provide a platform for robust discussions on issues affecting Nigeria's democratic and economic future, especially as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 general elections.
He described the coming elections as a defining moment in the country's political and economic evolution.
The 2025 edition of the NBA Annual General Conference, held in Enugu, featured South African opposition leader Julius Malema as keynote speaker under the theme, "Stand Out, Stand Tall."
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