Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya Elected NBA’s First Female President

Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN) has made history as the first woman to be elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), emerging victorious in the association’s 2026 national elections.

Her election makes her the 33rd president of the NBA and only the second woman to occupy the office. Dame Priscilla Kuye previously served as NBA president between 1991 and 1992 after succeeding Clement Akpamgbo, who left office following his appointment as Attorney-General of the Federation.

Badejo-Okusanya secured 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the total votes cast for the presidency, defeating Lateef Akangbe (SAN), who polled 7,934 votes (30.39 per cent), and Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), who received 5,855 votes (22.43 per cent).

The results were announced on Sunday by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), Aham Ejelam (SAN), following the conclusion of voting held between July 18 and 19.

A total of 26,184 lawyers participated in the election, with 26,106 valid votes recorded for the presidential contest from 82,172 registered voters.

Other elected national officers include Oghenero Okoro as First Vice President, Afam Okeke as General Secretary, Aghogho Gladys as Assistant General Secretary and Chinelo Audrey Ofoegbunam as Welfare Secretary.

Speaking after the results were declared, outgoing NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) acknowledged that the election faced significant challenges, including a cyberattack that temporarily disrupted the voting process.

He said the association successfully overcame attempts to undermine the election and urged members to put the contest behind them and work towards strengthening the Bar.

Osigwe added that the ECNBA would review the election process and recommend measures to improve cybersecurity and protect the integrity of future NBA elections.

In her acceptance message, Badejo-Okusanya thanked members for their confidence and pledged to prioritise lawyers’ welfare, improve professional opportunities and promote a more inclusive and responsive association.

She called on members to unite behind a shared vision for the NBA, describing her victory as a collective achievement for the legal profession.

“The election is behind us. We are one Bar, bound together by our commitment to justice, the rule of law and the growth of our profession,” she said.

Meanwhile, African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar congratulated Badejo-Okusanya, describing her election as a milestone for women in the legal profession and urging her to uphold the rule of law, judicial independence and equal access to justice.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, also congratulated the president-elect, calling on her to prioritise unity within the NBA by healing divisions and rebuilding trust among members as she prepares to lead Africa’s largest legal association.