Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya has made history after emerging as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), becoming the first woman to be elected to lead the association since its establishment.
Badejo-Okusanya secured victory in the 2026 NBA national election, which was conducted between July 18 and 19, defeating two fellow Senior Advocates of Nigeria to take the helm of Africa’s largest association of legal practitioners.
According to the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), she polled 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the total votes cast.
Her closest challenger, Lateef Akangbe, SAN, received 7,934 votes, while Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, came third with 5,855 votes.
Her election marks a significant milestone for the legal profession in Nigeria.
Although the late Dame Priscilla Kuye previously served as NBA President between 1991 and 1992, she assumed office after the then president was appointed Attorney-General of the Federation and was not elected through a national ballot.
The 2026 election was keenly contested and was reportedly affected by technical challenges, including a cyber attack that temporarily threatened to disrupt the voting process.
Following the declaration of the results, the outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, urged members of the association to put the election behind them and work together for the progress of the legal profession.
“At the end of the day, let the Bar be the winner,” he said.
In her acceptance speech, Badejo-Okusanya thanked members for the confidence reposed in her and pledged to build a more inclusive and stronger association.
“Thank you for believing in our shared vision of A Bolder Bar That Works for Everyone,” she said.
She also promised to prioritise the welfare of lawyers, expand professional opportunities and promote unity across the Nigerian Bar Association during her tenure.
Her historic victory has attracted congratulatory messages from several prominent Nigerians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro, who urged her to strengthen the legal profession and uphold the rule of law in Nigeria.
