Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has emerged as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association after defeating two other senior advocates in the association’s electronic election. The landmark victory marks a transformative moment for the largest professional body in Africa, as Badejo-Okusanya becomes the only female presidential candidate in the race to secure a decisive mandate from the legal community. Polling 12,317 votes, which represents 47.18 per cent of the total votes cast, she successfully outpaced her closest rivals, Lateef Akangbe, SAN, who secured 7,934 votes (30.39 per cent), and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, who polled 5,855 votes (22.43 per cent).

The election results, announced following a rigorous electronic voting process, have been hailed as a significant step forward for gender representation within the Nigerian legal profession. While the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has existed for over six decades, Badejo-Okusanya’s ascent to the presidency is only the second time a woman has been slated to lead the body. Her victory is particularly historic because she is the first woman to be elected directly by the general membership of the association. This distinguishes her tenure from that of Priscilla Kuye, who served as the first female NBA president between 1991 and 1992 but assumed the role through constitutional succession following the resignation of then-president Clement Akpamgbo.

A Pedigree of Academic and Professional Excellence

Born on January 15, 1967, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya was raised in an environment that prioritized intellectual rigor and public service. She is the daughter of the late Professor Olufolabi Olumide, a globally recognized surgeon and the foundational Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU). Her mother, Clara Folasade Abiodun Olumide (née Solarin), was equally distinguished, making history as the first female Registrar of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Growing up on the UNILAG campus, Badejo-Okusanya was immersed in a culture of academic excellence that would eventually shape her multifaceted career.

Her path to the legal profession was characterized by a broad intellectual foundation. Unlike many of her peers who pursued law as a first degree, she initially studied English at the University of Lagos, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987. This background in the humanities provided her with the communication skills and analytical depth that would later define her success as an advocate. Following her initial degree, she returned to UNILAG to study Law, obtaining her LL.B. in 2000. She proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar in 2002. Seeking further specialization, she earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Commercial and Corporate Law from the Queen Mary University of London, cementing her status as a scholar-practitioner.

Professional Trajectory and Public Service

Badejo-Okusanya’s legal career began at the prestigious firm of Olaniwun Ajayi LP, one of Nigeria’s most respected commercial law practices. During her time there, she honed her skills in complex litigation and commercial transactions. In 2017, she took a significant step in her professional journey by becoming a founding partner at Africa Law Practice NG & Company (ALP NG & Co.), where she currently co-heads the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution practice. Her expertise spans a wide array of legal fields, including arbitration, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, media and entertainment law, and mediation.

Beyond private practice, the President-elect has a robust record of public service. Between 2007 and 2015, she served in the Lagos State Government under the administration of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. Her initial role as Senior Special Assistant on Justice Sector Reform allowed her to influence the modernization of the state’s legal infrastructure. She was subsequently appointed General Counsel to the Governor, a role in which she oversaw critical legal frameworks involving public-private partnerships, consumer protection, and the state’s pioneering home ownership mortgage scheme. Her contributions to arbitration legislation during this period were instrumental in positioning Lagos as a regional hub for alternative dispute resolution.

In recognition of her professional standing and contributions to the development of law in Nigeria, she was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on September 29, 2025. The SAN title is the highest honor bestowed upon legal practitioners in Nigeria, reserved for those who have demonstrated exceptional advocacy skills and integrity.

Expertise in Arbitration and International Standing

Badejo-Okusanya is widely regarded as a specialist in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and an accredited mediator with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). Her influence in the field of arbitration is evidenced by her service on the Executive Committee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Nigeria Branch, and her current role on the Board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration. Notably, she played a vital role in the reform efforts that culminated in the enactment of Nigeria’s Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023, a piece of legislation that modernized the country’s ADR framework to align with international best practices.

Her professional reach extends beyond Nigeria’s borders. She maintains active memberships in several elite international legal organizations, including:

• The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
• The International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA)
• The African Arbitration Association
• The International Bar Association (IBA)
• The Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA)
• ArbitralWomen
• The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)
• The African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA)

These affiliations have allowed her to bring a global perspective to her local practice and her roles within the NBA.

Service to the Bar and the Path to the Presidency

Before her election as President, Badejo-Okusanya spent decades serving the NBA in various administrative and leadership capacities. She served as the Assistant Secretary of the NBA Lagos Branch, the association’s largest and most influential branch. She has also been a long-standing member of the National Executive Council (NEC), the highest decision-making body of the association.

One of her most notable recent achievements was serving as the Chairperson of the 2024 Annual General Conference Planning Committee. The conference, which is the flagship event of the Nigerian legal calendar, was lauded for its organization and the relevance of its thematic focus. In recognition of her tireless service to the profession, she was honored with the NBA Presidential Medal of Service in 2024. This track record of "service first" was a cornerstone of her campaign, resonating with members who sought a leader with proven administrative competence.

Election Analysis and Broader Implications

The 2026 NBA election was conducted via an electronic voting platform, a system the association has refined over the years to ensure transparency and wider participation among its members across the 128 branches nationwide. The total votes cast in the presidential category reflected a high level of engagement, with Badejo-Okusanya securing a comfortable lead of over 4,000 votes ahead of her closest challenger.

Political analysts within the legal community suggest that her victory was driven by a coalition of younger lawyers seeking modernization and female practitioners who viewed her candidacy as a long-overdue opportunity for gender parity at the highest level of the bar. Her campaign, often associated with the slogan "Bbold," focused on institutional reforms, the welfare of young lawyers, and the protection of the rule of law in an increasingly complex political climate.

The defeat of two other Senior Advocates, Lateef Akangbe and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, underscores the shifting dynamics within the NBA, where voters are increasingly prioritizing administrative vision and a history of bar activism over traditional seniority alone. While both Akangbe and Akinboro ran sophisticated campaigns, Badejo-Okusanya’s ability to articulate a clear roadmap for the association’s future ultimately secured her the win.

Future Outlook: The 2026-2028 Tenure

Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya is expected to officially assume office during the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference, which is scheduled to take place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She will succeed the outgoing president, Afam Osigwe, SAN, and will lead the association for a two-year term ending in 2028.

Her administration will face several pressing challenges. Chief among these is the ongoing demand for improved welfare packages for legal practitioners, particularly those in the early stages of their careers who face economic hardships. Additionally, the NBA is under constant pressure to act as a watchdog for judicial independence and the protection of human rights in Nigeria. Badejo-Okusanya has indicated that her tenure will focus on strengthening the institutional capacity of the NBA, enhancing the digital infrastructure of the legal profession, and ensuring that the bar remains a formidable voice in national affairs.

Outside of her professional life, the President-elect is known for her commitment to her faith and community. She is an active member of the Emmanuel Chapel, Methodist Church Nigeria, in Ikoyi, Lagos, where she serves as a Church Steward and a member of the choir. She has frequently spoken about the importance of maintaining a work-life balance and the role of spiritual grounding in navigating the pressures of a high-stakes legal career.

As the legal community prepares for this historic transition, the emergence of Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya as the 33rd President of the NBA is being viewed as a new chapter for the association—one defined by inclusivity, modern professionalism, and a renewed commitment to the service of the law and the nation.