NDDC Moot Court Competition: Akpata, Justice Odili Urge Investment in Advocacy Training for Young Lawyers
The Niger Delta Development Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting educational standards and developing local talent across the Niger Delta following the official kickoff of its 2026 Annual Moot and Mock Trial Competition.
The event held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday brought 16 law faculties from across the region’s nine states to help aspiring legal professionals bridge the gap between classroom theory and practical courtroom advocacy.
Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the 7th NDDC Governing Board, declared the competition open in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He explained that the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and practical courtroom advocacy for aspiring lawyers across the Niger Delta’s nine states.
“Moot Court competitions offer students a platform to sharpen their advocacy and courtroom presentation skills, and to learn first-hand lessons that will serve them well in their future careers,” Ebie stated.
Olumide Akpata, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for its 2026 Annual Moot and Mock Trial Competition, describing it as a strategic investment in the future of the legal profession.
Akpata stressed that advocacy remains the bedrock of law practice, noting: “Investing in the legal profession of young people is the most meaningful investment anybody can make in the life of the region. Advocacy is the bedrock of the legal profession. It is true across every area of the legal profession.”
He urged law faculties across Nigeria to establish moot courts as core components of legal education, highlighting that while technology and artificial intelligence are advancing rapidly, machines cannot replicate the ability to argue unforeseen points in court. He added that the NBA is ready to revive its Memorandum of Understanding with the NDDC to deepen collaboration.
Justice Mary Odili (Rtd.), former Justice of the Supreme Court, delivered the keynote address, advising participants to treasure the experience gained from the competition. She emphasized that the skills acquired through moot trials would prove invaluable in their future careers, particularly in building confidence and courtroom presence.
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, NDDC Managing Director, represented by Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Boma Iyaye, noted that feedback from previous competitions confirmed the programme’s importance in shaping the legal education of young lawyers. He reiterated that human capacity development in education remains a statutory mandate of the NDDC.
“As the foremost interventionist agency of the Federal Government in the region, human capacity development in the education sector is a veritable component of the NDDC’s statutory mandate, and we are committed to ensuring that we continue to support such programmes,” Ogbuku affirmed.
