The Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch, is one of the foremost and largest Branches of the NBA in Nigeria. Established in 1967, the Branch has grown from a modest gathering of legal pioneers to a vibrant, dynamic and highly influential Branch of over 1,600 active members.

For close to six decades, the Ilorin Branch, fondly called "The Harmony Bar" in line with Kwara State's sobriquet as the State of Harmony, has remained a pacesetter in Bar activism, promotion of the rule of law, defence of human rights, and justice sector reforms. It will in 2027 celebrate its Diamond Jubilee - 60 Years of impactful existence and meritorious service to the Bar and the nation.

The Branch has the privilege of being blessed with an array of eminent Leaders and Silks who have brought honour to the Branch and the legal profession. They include: Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, CFR, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, CON,Chief Gboyega Awomolo, SAN, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, Alhaji Adebayo Oba Adelodun, SAN, Chief P.A.O. Olorunisola, SAN, Alhaji Aliyu Alarape Salman, SAN, Alh. Saka Abimbola Isau, SAN, R. A. Lawal-Rabana, SAN, Rev. John Baiyeshea, SAN, Sir Joseph S. Bamigboye, SAN, Prof. J. O. Olatoke, SAN, K. K. Eleja, SAN, Prof. Abdulwahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, Akin Akintoye I, Esq. and a host of other distinguished Bar leaders.

The Nigerian Bar Association Ilorin Branch (Harmony Bar) is the foremost branch in the North of Niger and one of the elite branches in Nigeria. It is the only branch in Nigeria privileged to have produced two past presidents of Nigerian Bar Association in the personalities of Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, CFR and Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN and a past General Secretary, Chief R.A. Lawal-Rabana, SAN. The Ilorin Branch of the Bar is equally blessed with prominent legal personalities who have made indelible marks in the practice of law with numerous contributions to the development of Nigerian legal lexicon. These personalities are well sought after when it comes to Courtroom Advocacy. They include, the Doyen of the Senior Advocates in Kwara State, Alhaji Aliyu Salman, SAN, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, CFR, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, Chief P.A.O. Olorunnisola, SAN, Prof. (Mall) Yusuf Ali, SAN, Chief Titus O. Ashaolu, SAN, Alhaji Adebayo O. Adelodun, SAN, Alh. Saka A. Isau, SAN, Rev. John O. Baiyeshea, SAN, Roland Otaru SAN, Abenny O. Mohammed, SAN, Prof. Joshua O. Olatoke, SAN, Kamaldeen A. Ajibade, SAN, Prof. Wahab O. Egbewole, SAN, Akin Akintoye II, SAN, Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kannike, SAN, Joseph S. Bamigboye, SAN, Kehinde K. Eleja, SAN, Prof. Wahab O. Egbewole, SAN, Jimoh A. Mumini, SAN, Prof. Rasheed J. Ijaodaola, SAN, Salman A. Jawondo, SAN, Dr. Adeola Omotunde, SAN, Bola. R. Gold, SAN, Chief Rafiu O. Balogun, SAN among numerous others. It is safe to say that after Abuja and Lagos branches, Ilorin Branch has the highest concentration of Senior Advocates in Nigeria. It should be noted that most of those in Abuja, Lagos and other cities in Nigeria are actually the export from Ilorin Bar.

Ilorin Bar has in its list of illustrious members, the academics who have risen to the pinnacle of their careers and sit on the professorial bench of various universities in Nigeria. The list is endless but permit me to mention but view. Professors M. T. Abdulrazaq, SAN. Kayode I. Adam. Raheem K. Salman, A. A. Oba, Bashir A. Omipidan, Ibrahim Y. Arowosaiye, Ibrahim A. Abikan, Akeem Ijaya, Nimah M. Abdulraheem(Mrs), Najeem A. Ijaiya, Imam Ibrahim, Saka Olokooba, Lukman Ayinla, Abdulrazaq A. Alaro, Yahaya D.U. Hambali, Professor B.A. Abdulkadir, Professor Mariam A. Abdulraheem-Mustapha, Professor A.O. Sambo among others.

The branch is proud to put on record that, some of our professor members are Vice Chancellors to many Universities in Nigeria. Among them are: Prof. Wahab O. Egbewole, SAN, University of Ilorin, Professor Jeleel O. Ojuade, Ojaja University, Ilorin, the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State and late Professor Muhammed M. Akanbi, SAN, among others.

Ilorin, the seat of the Harmony Bar, can boast of erudite jurists whose breath is law itself. They include but not limited to Hon. Justice Saidu Kawu, past Chief of Kwara State and Justice of Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice S.M.A Belgore, CJN, Hon. Justice Mahmud B. Belgore, past Chief Judge of Federal high Court, Hon. Justice Issa Ayo Salami, PCA, the first Grand Kadi of K wara State, Hon. Justice Abdukadir Orire, past Chief Judges of Kwara State, Hon. Justices Timothy Oyeyipo, Saka Yusuf, Ayinla O. Bamigbola, Sulyman D. Kawu, OFR and the incumbent Chief Judge of Kwara State, Hon. Justice Ayodele A. Adebara who was an active member of our branch before he joined the bench among other numerous Jurists.

The Ilorin Branch of Nigerian Bar Association is privileged to have been led by distinguished and seasoned legal practitioners who are titans in the courtroom advocacy as its chairmen since the birth of the branch in the 60s. They are:

1. Late Chief D.A. Akintoye   1967 - 1977
2. Late Alh Akanbi Mahmoud Oniyangi    1977 - 1979
3. Chief Ayo Jonathan    1979-1981
4. Chief P.A.O. Olorunnisola, SAN    1981 - 1983
5. Late Alh. M.O.A. Sanni, SAN   1983 - 1986
6. Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN    1986 - 1988
7. Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN    1988 - 1990
8. Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN    1990 - 1991
9. Late Alh M.S 'Lai Adegboye    1991 - 1992
10. Hon. Justice Lambo Akanbi (Rtd)    1992 - 1995
11. Alh. Adebayo O. Adelodun, SAN    1995 - 1997
12. Chief Rafiu A. Lawal-Rabana, SAN    1997 - 1999
13. Late Alh. 'Lai Adegboye    1999 (death)
14. Alh Saka A. Isau, SAN    2000 - 2001
15. Joseph S. Bamigboye, SAN    2001 -2003
16. Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN    2003 - 2005
17. Kehinde K. Eleja, SAN    2005 - 2007
18. Late Prof. Muhammed M. Akanbi, SAN    2007 - 2009
19. Salman Jawondo, SAN    2009 - 2011
20. Chief Rafiu O. Balogun    2011 - 2013
21. Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara    2013 - 2015
22. Joseph S. Bamigboye, SAN (caretaker)    Oct, 2015 - Jan, 2016
23. Manzuma Issa    2016 - 2018
24. M.A.I. Akande    2018 - 2020
25. Abdulganiyu Bello    2020 - 2022
26. Kamaldeen Gambari    2022 - 2024
27. Sulyman Muhammed-Hassan Kosemani    June 2026
28. J.S Muhammad    June 2026 till date.

The Branch is currently led by J. S. Muhammad Esq. as Chairman, who was sworn in on 30th June, 2026 at the Bar Centre, NBA House, High Court Complex, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State.

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2026-2028

1. J. S. Muhammad Esq.    - Chairman
2. Rasheedat Abimbola Hassan-Aribito Esq.   - Vice Chairman
3. Sekoni Saad Isiaq Esq.    - Secretary
4. Mujeeb Olalekan Jimoh Esq.    - Assistant Secretary
5. Imam Tamim Faruq Lawal Esq.    - Treasurer
6. Adeleru Moronfoye Foluke Omorinola Esq.    - Financial Secretary
7. Abdulrasheed Ishola Yakub Oke Esq.    - Welfare Secretary
8. B. O. Banigbe Esq.    - Publicity Secretary
9. Anthonia Omenogoh Oshiniwe Esq.    - Social Secretary
10. Bilikis Ayo Ambali Esq.    - Provost

Under this leadership, the Harmony Bar remains committed to the welfare of its members, robust Continuing Legal Education, maintenance of cordial Bar-Bench-Government relationship, and partnership with the Kwara State Government in building a just, peaceful and prosperous society.