Prominent Human Rights Lawyer, Festus Ogun, to Keynote Human Rights Clinic’s Inaugural ‘Know Your Rights’ Conference at OAU

By Adedoyin Oguntade

Nigerian Human Rights Lawyer, Festus Ogun, Esquire, is set to deliver a keynote address at the first edition of the Know Your Rights Conference (KYRC) by the Clinic for Human Rights, Obafemi Awolowo University, on Saturday, 27 June.

Festus Ogun is a Nigerian lawyer, human rights activist, social crusader, columnist and public affairs analyst. He is the Principal Partner of Festus Ogun Legal, a leading Public Law and Human Rights Law Firm in Nigeria, providing innovative and excellent legal services to local and international clients.

He is the convener of Civil Coalition for Constitutional Governance, a nonpartisan legal advocacy organisation devoted to human rights, good governance, and constitutional, electoral and policy reforms in Nigeria.

He is set to deliver a keynote address on the theme of the conference, The Voice of Youth in Activism and Advocacy in the Contemporary World.

KYRC 2026 is the first edition in the history of the Clinic and is set to continue in subsequent academy sessions with diverse, intriguing themes.

The conference seeks to clarify concepts, showcase practical examples, and foster dialogue among lawyers, activists, journalists and human Rights enthusiasts. The goal is to build a generation of informed and ethical advocates for justice and inclusion.

On campuses and across Nigeria, young people often engage in activism without a strategic understanding of advocacy tools or lawful engagement mechanisms.

At the same time, society’s pursuit of equality often overlooks the nuanced difference between equality and equity—the gap between treating everyone the same and ensuring fairness across diverse realities.

About CHROAU

The Clinic for Human Rights, Obafemi Awolowo University, is a campus-based organisation that was founded in February, 2018. The objective for the formulation of the Clinic was to address human rights concerns in two phases. First, to tackle violations in the university community, and second, to equip the teeming population of OAU students with the requisite knowledge of their rights and how to handle cases of rights violations. These it schemes to achieve through the twin approach of advocacy
and sensitisation.

Despite the natural limitations as a student body, the Clinic has made substantial progress by leveraging the power of more established institutions, organisations and individuals that advance human rights. These include governmental and non-governmental organisations like the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Citizens’ Gavel, BAOBAB for Women’s Rights, amongst others.

The Clinic has successfully engaged these organisations to elevate its vision through various relevant events and stakeholders’ engagement. Similarly, it initiates and stimulates intellectually nurturing conversations during our regular meetings in a bid to develop critical thinking amongst members for the purpose of tackling the myriad of obstacles that restrain the dignity and rights of Nigerian citizens.

Panel Sessions and Fireside Chat

The conference is also set to feature two panel sessions and a fireside chat.

The first panel session will have Sikiru Obarayese, Online Editor at The Nigerian Tribune; Chizelu Emejulu, Ese., Executive Director at Minority Watch; and Joshua Oyebode, Lead Director at iCASE as its speakers.

The fireside chat will feature Maruf Adediran, Esq., LL.M., the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Oshogbo branch, and Founder of Merit Chambers, and Oluwafemi Ajibade, Esq., head of operations and Legal at Citizens’ Gavel.

The second panel session will feature Aka Daniel, erstwhile Public Relations Officer, Great Ife Students’ Union; Adwuo Ayodele (Activist/Journalist, University of Ibadan); Linus Nice (Student Activist, University of Ibadan); and Shuaib-Osunleke Musab (Welfare Officer, Great Ife Students’ Union) as its speakers.

KYRC by the Clinic for Human Rights, OAU promises to bring together young and enthusiastic human rights activists and advocates to discuss issues that affect our contemporary world.