Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya has officially assumed office as the new Nigerian Bar Association president, making history during Friday’s inauguration ceremony in Port Harcourt. Badejo-Okusanya became the 33rd NBA president after taking the oath of office administered by her predecessor, Afam Osigwe, SAN.
Her inauguration followed the July election, where she defeated Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe and Olumuyiwa Akinboro during the association’s national contest. The senior lawyer secured 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 percent of 26,106 valid ballots cast during the electronic presidential election.
With her victory, Badejo-Okusanya became the first woman directly elected to lead Nigeria’s foremost association of legal practitioners nationally. Her emergence also makes her the second woman to occupy the NBA presidency, following Priscilla Kuye’s historic leadership between 1991 and 1992.
During her inaugural remarks, Badejo-Okusanya pledged to prioritize lawyers’ welfare while creating better opportunities for members nationwide across various professional fields. She promised to lead with integrity, courage, humility, fairness, and accountability while emphasizing her commitment toward every Nigerian lawyer.
Earlier, the new NBA president pledged electoral reforms following controversies surrounding the association’s electronic voting process and members’ concerns. Her legal career spans more than two decades, beginning after her 2002 call to the Nigerian Bar and subsequent professional development.
Badejo-Okusanya became Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2025, strengthening her credentials before pursuing the association’s highest leadership position. Now, the Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya administration begins with expectations for stronger welfare, professional development, unity, accountability, and meaningful institutional reforms.
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