Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya has been elected president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), becoming the first woman to lead the country’s foremost body of legal practitioners.
The outcome of the 2026 national election was announced after the conclusion of voting, with Badejo-Okusanya emerging victorious to succeed the outgoing NBA leadership.
Her election marks a historic milestone for the association, ending decades of male leadership and signalling a new chapter for one of Nigeria’s most influential professional bodies.
Badejo-Okusanya, a respected commercial lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is expected to steer the association through key issues affecting the legal profession, including judicial reforms, the rule of law, lawyers’ welfare and the defence of constitutional democracy.
Her victory has been widely welcomed by members of the legal community, with many describing it as a significant step towards greater inclusivity and representation within the profession.
The Nigerian Bar Association, which represents thousands of lawyers across the country, plays a central role in promoting the independence of the judiciary, safeguarding the rule of law and advocating for legal and constitutional reforms in Nigeria.
Badejo-Okusanya is expected to assume office in accordance with the association’s transition timetable, becoming the NBA’s 33rd president.
