Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya Wins NBA Presidential Election, Becomes Second Female President
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya has been elected as the new President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), becoming only the second woman to lead the country’s foremost association of legal practitioners. Her victory marks a significant milestone in the history of the legal profession in Nigeria.
Badejo-Okusanya emerged victorious after securing 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 percent of the 26,106 valid ballots cast in the nationwide electronic election conducted by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA). The election lasted for 24 hours, beginning on Saturday morning and ending on Sunday morning.
She defeated two fellow Senior Advocates of Nigeria in the keenly contested race. Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe (SAN) finished second with 7,934 votes, while Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN) came third with 5,855 votes, according to the final results released by the electoral committee.
Badejo-Okusanya was the only female candidate in the three-way presidential contest. Her election is being celebrated by many members of the legal community as another step toward greater gender representation in leadership positions within the Nigerian Bar Association.
She succeeds the outgoing NBA leadership at a time when the legal profession continues to grapple with issues relating to judicial reforms, the welfare of lawyers, professional ethics and the protection of the rule of law. Many members of the association have expressed optimism that her administration will address these challenges while strengthening the independence of the Bar.
The election was conducted electronically, allowing lawyers across the country to cast their votes online. Although the process was largely successful, it was not without controversy. Some contestants and members had earlier raised concerns over technical glitches, including delays in receiving authentication codes and alleged issues with the voting portal. Despite the complaints, the Electoral Committee completed the exercise and announced the final results.
Badejo-Okusanya’s emergence makes her the second female President of the Nigerian Bar Association after Dame Priscilla Kuye, who served as the association’s first female president between 1991 and 1992. Her victory therefore represents a historic return of female leadership to the NBA after more than three decades.
Following the announcement of the results, congratulatory messages poured in from lawyers, senior advocates and members of the public, many describing her election as a landmark achievement for the legal profession. Supporters have expressed confidence in her ability to promote justice, defend the rule of law and advance reforms within the association.
As she prepares to assume office, expectations remain high that the new NBA president will build on the achievements of previous administrations while addressing the concerns of legal practitioners across Nigeria. Her tenure is expected to focus on strengthening the association, protecting the independence of the judiciary and improving the welfare and professional development of lawyers nationwide.
About the Author
