…Pledges stronger advocacy, transparency, inclusion and welfare for lawyers with disabilities
The Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN) has entered a new chapter in its quest to advance the rights, welfare, and professional development of lawyers with disabilities following the inauguration of a new Management Board to pilot the affairs of the association for the next three years.
The inauguration, which followed the successful conduct of the association’s national elections, signals a renewed commitment to strengthening disability-inclusive legal advocacy and expanding opportunities for lawyers with disabilities across the country.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Media and Publicity of the association, Ms Asmau Usman, the elections were held on May 23, 2026, while the newly elected officials formally assumed office on May 25, 2026.
At the helm of the newly inaugurated leadership is Ms Tosan Rukevwe Mene, who emerged as President after the electoral process. She is expected to provide strategic leadership in driving the association’s vision and advancing the interests of legal practitioners with disabilities nationwide.
Supporting her in the administration of the association is Mrs Violet Tamuno Opubo Alli, who was elected Vice President, while Mr Samuel Ihezue Chukwudi will serve as General Secretary.
Other members of the newly constituted Management Board include Ms Edirin Endurance Aruokpere as Assistant Secretary, Mrs Lilian Onyinye Evughire as Treasurer, Haruna Musa Davou as Financial Secretary, Ms Asmau Usman as Director of Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Asogwa Okafor as Director of Legal Services, and Festus Okpeh as Director of Research and Documentation.
The association noted that the new leadership team assumes office at a critical period when issues relating to disability inclusion, equal opportunities, access to justice, and the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities continue to gain national and international attention.
Speaking on the mandate before the new board, the statement emphasized that the administration is committed to building a stronger and more vibrant association anchored on the principles of transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, and effective service delivery to members.
It further stated that the board will prioritize robust advocacy initiatives, strategic partnerships, welfare programmes, research, and institutional strengthening aimed at promoting the rights and interests of lawyers with disabilities while contributing to the broader disability rights movement in Nigeria.
“The new leadership is committed to advancing the vision and objectives of ALDIN through transparency, accountability, advocacy, inclusion, welfare initiatives and strategic partnerships that will benefit members and strengthen the association’s impact across Nigeria,” the statement noted.
ALDIN also used the opportunity to acknowledge and commend the outgoing Management Board for its dedication, sacrifices, and invaluable contributions to the growth of the association during its tenure.
The association praised the former leadership for laying a solid foundation upon which the new administration can build, while recognizing their efforts in promoting the visibility and participation of lawyers with disabilities within the legal profession and the wider society.
As the new board settles into office, ALDIN called on its members, development partners, government institutions, civil society organizations, the Nigerian Bar Association, and other critical stakeholders to continue supporting its programmes and initiatives.
The association stressed that collective efforts and collaboration remain essential to achieving meaningful disability inclusion, advancing access to justice, and ensuring that lawyers with disabilities are fully represented and empowered within Nigeria’s legal landscape.
The statement further informed stakeholders that all official correspondence, engagements, partnerships, and communications concerning the affairs of the association should henceforth be directed to the newly inaugurated Management Board.
The inauguration of the new leadership is widely seen as an important milestone for ALDIN as it seeks to deepen its advocacy efforts, strengthen institutional capacity, and champion a more inclusive legal profession where lawyers with disabilities can thrive without barriers.
For many stakeholders within the disability and legal communities, the emergence of the new board represents an opportunity to consolidate previous gains while charting a more ambitious path toward equality, inclusion, and justice for all persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
