Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya has been elected as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Badejo-Okusanya emerges NBA president after securing the highest number of votes in the association’s national election, marking a historic moment for the legal profession in Nigeria.
According to https://dailypost.ng, Badejo-Okusanya defeated two other Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Lateef Akangbe and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, to claim the association’s top office. She polled 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 percent of the total votes cast. Akangbe secured 7,934 votes, while Akinboro finished with 5,855 votes.
The victory makes Badejo-Okusanya the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association and only the second woman to occupy the position since Priscilla Kuye led the association between 1991 and 1992. Her election has attracted widespread attention because it marks another significant milestone for female leadership within Nigeria’s legal community.
The election was not without challenges. Voting experienced delays after the Nigerian Bar Association’s electronic voting platform reportedly came under a cyberattack. However, the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) completed the exercise after addressing the disruption and later announced the official results.
The successful conclusion of the election reassured members that the process remained credible despite the unexpected setback. Furthermore, many legal practitioners praised the committee for ensuring that every eligible vote was counted before declaring the winner.
Following the announcement, Badejo-Okusanya expressed gratitude to members of the association for the confidence they placed in her leadership. She promised to serve every lawyer regardless of voting preference and pledged to strengthen unity across the NBA.
In addition, the newly elected president said her administration would focus on improving the welfare of lawyers, promoting professional development, and enhancing the association’s role in defending the rule of law. She also stressed the importance of collaboration among members to address the challenges facing the legal profession.
Badejo-Okusanya succeeds Afam Osigwe (SAN), who served as the association’s president before the latest election. Her tenure is expected to span the 2026–2028 administration, during which she will oversee the affairs of one of Nigeria’s most influential professional bodies.
Her emergence comes at a time when the legal profession continues to play a crucial role in promoting justice, protecting democratic institutions, and advocating for the rights of citizens. Therefore, many observers believe her leadership will shape important conversations on legal reforms and professional standards over the next two years.
As Badejo-Okusanya emerges NBA president, expectations remain high among lawyers and stakeholders. Many members hope her administration will deliver meaningful reforms, strengthen the welfare of legal practitioners, and build a more inclusive Nigerian Bar Association capable of addressing the evolving needs of the profession.
