Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has been elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), pledging to build a stronger, more inclusive Bar that works for every lawyer.
The result was announced by the Chairman of the NBA Electoral Committee, Chief Aham Ejelam (SAN), shortly after the conclusion of the 24-hour electronic voting exercise, which ended on Sunday morning.
According to the official results, Badejo-Okusanya, the only female among the three presidential candidates, secured 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the 26,106 valid ballots cast.
She defeated Chief Lateef Akangbe (SAN), who polled 7,934 votes (30.39 per cent), and Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, who garnered 5,855 votes (22.43 per cent).
Badejo-Okusanya will become the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association, making history as the second woman to lead the association since its establishment in 1933, after Chief Priscilla Kuye.
Chief Priscilla Kuye first assumed the NBA presidency in 1992 following the appointment of the then President, Chief Clement Akpamgbo, as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation. A planned election later that year was, however, suspended following a court order.
Also elected was Mr. Afam Okeke, who emerged as the NBA’s General Secretary after polling 8,478 votes to defeat his opponents.
The newly elected national officers will serve a two-year tenure from 2026 to 2028.
Established in 1933, the Nigerian Bar Association is Nigeria’s foremost legal professional body, with 129 branches, three professional sections, two specialised institutes, and six practice-cadre forums. The outgoing NBA President is Mr. Afam Osigwe (SAN).
In her acceptance message posted on her X account, Badejo-Okusanya described her victory as a mandate for a stronger, more inclusive and responsive Bar.
“This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to every member who believed that our association can be stronger, more inclusive, more responsive, and better positioned to serve the interests of all lawyers,” she said.
She said her engagements with lawyers across the country during the campaign shaped her vision for the association and pledged to lead with integrity, courage, humility, fairness and accountability.
Badejo-Okusanya congratulated her fellow contestants and thanked members of her campaign team, supporters, mentors, family and her husband for their support throughout the election.
Calling for unity after the election, she said the association must move forward with a shared commitment to strengthening the legal profession and defending justice and the rule of law.
“I will be a President for every member of the Nigerian Bar Association. Together, we will build an Association where every lawyer has the opportunity to earn better, live better and practise better.
“The work begins now,” she said.
