The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has elected Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as its next president after she polled the most votes by the end of polling on Sunday morning. The winner had campaigned on the promise of a “bolder bar that works for everyone”.
According to the election result, which was announced by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the NBA, Chief Aham Ejelam (SAN), shortly after the close of the poll, Badejo-Okusanya, the only female among the three presidential candidates, polled 12,317 votes, amounting to 47.18% of the 26,106 ballots, with electronic voting running for 24 hours, from 7:35 am on Saturday.
She defeated her two challengers — Chief Lateef Akangbe (SAN), who garnered 7,934 votes (30.39%) and Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, who received 5,855 votes (22.43%).
Badejo-Okusanya will become the 33rd President of the association, re-enacting a 34-year-old history as the second female to lead the NBA since its formation in 1933.
The first female to assume that exalted position, Chief Priscilla Kuye, stepped into the seat in 1992 when the then NBA President, Chief Clement Akpamgbo, was appointed the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation. The following NBA Annual General Conference a few months later in Port Harcourt, where Kuye and three other candidates had been cleared to contest for the presidency of the association, was, however, adjourned sine die following a court order restraining the conduct of the elections. Others who contested in that aborted election were Alhaji Bashir Mohammed Dalhatu, Mr. Segun Onakoya and Mr. Kanmi Ishola Osobu.
Apart from Badejo-Okusanya, Mr. Afam Okeke was elected General Secretary of the body, having polled 8,478 votes to defeat his opponents.
All the elected officials will be in office for a two-year period spanning 2026 to 2028.
Established as a national professional body in 1933, the NBA now has 129 branches, three professional sections, two specialised institutes and six practice-cadre forums. Its outgoing president is Mr. Afam Osigwe (SAN).
In her acceptance speech, posted on her X handle, Badejo-Okusanya said that the ‘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 further said: ‘Over the past months, I had the privilege of travelling across our nation, engaging with colleagues in every state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. I listened to your hopes, your concerns, your aspirations, and your ideas. Those conversations shaped this campaign, and they will continue to guide my leadership.
‘I extend my sincere appreciation to every member who participated in this election, regardless of the candidate you supported. The election is over. We are one Bar, united by a common commitment to the advancement of our profession and the defence of justice and the rule of law.
I congratulate my fellow contestants for their commitment to our Association and for enriching this democratic process. I look forward to working with all of you as partners in building an NBA that reflects the very best of our profession.
‘To the BBOLD Campaign Council, our volunteers, coordinators, supporters, friends, colleagues, and every person who worked tirelessly, often behind the scenes, I cannot thank you enough. Your dedication, sacrifice, belief, and hard work made this journey possible. I am deeply grateful.
‘To my husband, thank you for your love, your sacrifices, your encouragement, and your unwavering belief in me throughout this journey. Your support, strength, and quiet confidence have meant more than words can express. I am deeply grateful to have walked this path with you by my side. Thank you for being my steadfast partner through it all.
‘To my family, mentors, friends, and everyone who stood by me with their prayers, encouragement, and unwavering support, thank you for walking this journey with me.
‘Today marks not the end of a campaign, but the beginning of a new responsibility.
‘I pledge to lead with integrity, courage, humility, fairness, and accountability. 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.
‘May God continue to bless the Nigerian Bar Association and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
‘Thank you, and God bless you all’.
