NIGERIA-The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) –similar of the Liberia National Bar Association – has chosen former President George Manneh Weah as keynote speaker for its Annual General Conference scheduled to take place in Port Harcourt, Nigeria beginning August 21 to 28, 2026.
The Association shrouded their decision in Weah being a pan African statesman whose career has spanned international football, humanitarian work, politics, peace building, education and governance.
Weah, elected President in November 2017 and sworn into office in 2018, left power in 2024 following the 2023 elections loss to current President Joseph Boakai.
The NBA recalled that during his presidency, the former head of state introduced measures aimed at expanding access to education, including free tuition at public universities, while his administration also oversaw infrastructure development across the country.
“One of Weah’s early actions after taking office was to reduce his salary and other benefits by 25 percent, the Association said, while also highlighted Weah’s decision to concede the 2023 presidential runoff election after losing to Joseph Nyuma Boakai by a narrow margin.
The Association described his concession and peaceful transfer of power as evidence of his commitment to democratic principles and constitutional governance.
They also historicized his pre- and post-political life, narrating how he served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador beginning in 1997 and was recognized internationally for his humanitarian work before entering partisan politics.
In 2004, he received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award from ESPN for his efforts on behalf of children affected by conflict, disease and poverty. They recalled also that Weah’s international reputation was first established through football, noting how he in 1995 became the first and remains the only African player to win the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player of the Year and African Footballer of the Year awards in the same year.
According to the Association, Weah’s selection reflects its desire to deepen discussions around this year’s conference theme, and described the former Liberian leader as a symbol of resilience, hope and service whose journey from international football star to president of Liberia demonstrates the possibilities of exceeding conventional limits.
The conference is expected to bring together leading legal professionals and other prominent speakers for discussions on issues confronting Africa, particularly as Nigeria prepares for its next general elections.
The Nigerian Bar Association said this year’s gathering is expected to build on the success of last year’s conference in Enugu, where South African politician Julius Malema delivered the keynote address under the theme “Stand Out, Stand Tall.”
Weah’s selection places Liberia once again at the center of a major continental professional gathering and gives the former president an opportunity to address one of Africa’s largest legal communities.
Smart News Liberia will continue to bring you updates on George Weah’s upcoming engagement in Nigeria.
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