12 things to know about Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, NBA’s first elected female president

Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has made history as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association, becoming the first woman to be elected by members of the association to occupy the position and the second female to lead the NBA since its establishment.

Her emergence followed the 2026 NBA national election, where she defeated two other Senior Advocates of Nigeria to secure the highest number of votes and become the successor to the outgoing NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN.

Below are key facts about the new NBA President:

1. She is the first female elected NBA President

Badejo-Okusanya’s victory represents a major milestone in the history of Nigeria’s legal profession because she became the first woman to win the NBA presidency through a direct electoral process by members of the association.

Although Dame Priscilla Kuye served as the first female NBA President between 1991 and 1992, she assumed the position through constitutional succession after the resignation of the then president, making Badejo-Okusanya the first woman elected directly by lawyers.

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2. She is the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association

Following her victory, Badejo-Okusanya became the 33rd person to lead the NBA, an umbrella body representing lawyers across Nigeria.

She is expected to serve a two-year tenure from 2026 to 2028.

3. She won the NBA presidential election with 12,317 votes

Badejo-Okusanya secured 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the total 26,106 votes cast in the presidential election.

Her closest challenger, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, scored 7,934 votes, while Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, polled 5,855 votes.

4. She is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria

Badejo-Okusanya holds the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a title awarded to lawyers who have distinguished themselves through exceptional professional practice and contributions to the legal profession.

5. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002

The new NBA President was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002 after completing her legal education and professional training.

Since then, she has built more than two decades of experience in legal practice, particularly in litigation and dispute resolution.

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6. She studied at the University of Lagos

Badejo-Okusanya obtained her law degree from the University of Lagos, where she also earlier studied English before proceeding into the legal profession.

7. She is a founding partner of Africa Law Practice NG & Company

She is a founding partner of Africa Law Practice NG & Company, where she serves as Co Head of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice.

Her legal career has focused on handling complex disputes, commercial litigation and other high level legal matters.

8. She previously worked on justice sector reforms

Before rising to the NBA presidency, Badejo-Okusanya served in government, including as Senior Special Assistant on Justice Sector Reform and later as General Counsel to former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola.

9. She has held leadership positions within the NBA

Before her election as president, she contributed to the activities of the association and served in various leadership capacities, including chairing the NBA 2024 Annual General Conference Planning Committee.

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10. She received the NBA Presidential Medal of Service

Her contributions to the association were recognised when she received the NBA Presidential Medal of Service in 2024.

11. Her emergence has been celebrated as a victory for women in leadership

Women rights groups and legal professionals have described her election as a landmark achievement that demonstrates the increasing role of women in leadership positions within Nigeria’s professional institutions.

12. She takes over at a crucial period for the NBA

Badejo-Okusanya assumes leadership of the NBA at a time when the association is expected to address issues including lawyers’ welfare, unity within the profession, access to justice, technological transformation and the strengthening of the rule of law.

Her election is widely regarded as a turning point in the history of the Nigerian legal profession, as she becomes a symbol of breaking long-standing gender barriers in one of the country’s most influential professional bodies.

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