Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has been elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) after emerging victorious in the association’s national election.
Badejo-Okusanya, the only female among the three presidential contenders, secured 12,317 votes in the electronic poll, which lasted 24 hours from 7:35 a.m. on Saturday to 7:34 a.m. on Sunday.
Her closest challenger, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe (SAN), polled 7,934 votes (30.39 per cent), while Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN) finished third with 5,855 votes (22.43 per cent).
Reacting to her victory in a statement after the announcement of the results, the president-elect described her emergence as a collective achievement for members of the Bar who believed in her vision of “A BBOLD Bar That Works for Everyone.”
She thanked lawyers across the country for their confidence and support throughout the election.
“This victory belongs to all of us who believe in A BBOLD BAR THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE. Thank you to every member who supported this vision, to my fellow contestants for enriching our democratic process, and to every colleague who participated in this election,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya also expressed appreciation to members of her campaign council, volunteers, coordinators, supporters, friends and colleagues, saying their commitment and sacrifices contributed significantly to her success.
She further acknowledged the support of her husband, family, mentors and everyone who stood by her with prayers and encouragement during the campaign.
The newly elected NBA president said the conclusion of the election marked the beginning of the responsibility to serve the legal profession, pledging to lead with integrity, humility, courage and accountability.
“The campaign is over. The work begins now. I pledge to serve every member of the Nigerian Bar Association with integrity, humility, courage and accountability,” she said.
She promised that her administration would prioritise the welfare and professional development of lawyers across Nigeria.
“Together, we will build an NBA where lawyers can earn better, live better and practise better,” she added.
Badejo-Okusanya was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002 after obtaining a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the University of Lagos. Before studying law, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the same institution.
She began her legal career at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, where she established herself in commercial litigation and dispute resolution before being elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on September 29, 2025.
In 2007, she was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Justice Sector Reform to the then Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, serving in the office of the then Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olasupo Shasore, where she contributed to key justice sector reforms.
A respected arbitration and commercial law practitioner, Badejo-Okusanya belongs to several local and international professional bodies, including the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), African Arbitration Association, ArbitralWomen, International Bar Association (IBA), Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA). She also serves on the Board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA).
Within the NBA, she has served in several leadership positions, including Assistant Secretary of the NBA Lagos Branch, delegate to the 2006 NBA elections, member of various committees, Alternate Chair of the 2023 NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee, and Chair of the 2024 NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee.
