Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has etched her name into the history books after emerging as the 33rd President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) through the association’s electronic voting process.
She becomes the first woman to attain the office through a competitive election and only the second woman to lead the country’s foremost legal body.
Badejo-Okusanya secured 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 percent of valid ballots cast, to defeat fellow Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe and Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, in the election conducted between July 18 and 19, 2026.
While the exercise was accompanied by complaints of technical glitches from some lawyers, her victory was widely celebrated as a defining moment for the legal profession.
Congratulating her, former Senate President Bukola Saraki described her emergence as “both historic and well deserved,” expressing confidence that she would advance “the rule of law, defending the independence of the Bar, and promoting justice and professional excellence.”
Who is Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya?
Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, FCIArb, is a respected Nigerian lawyer, arbitrator, mediator and public policy professional whose career spans commercial litigation, arbitration, justice sector reform and legal leadership.
She is a founding partner of Africa Law Practice NG & Company (ALP NG & Co.), where she serves as Co-Head of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice.
Her election as the NBA’s 33rd President represents more than a personal achievement; it marks a watershed moment in the association’s history.
Although Dame Priscilla Kuye previously served as NBA President between 1991 and 1992, Badejo-Okusanya holds a record as the first woman to secure the office through a nationwide democratic election, underscoring the growing acceptance of female leadership within Nigeria’s legal profession.
Her journey reflects decades of dedication to legal practice, public service, arbitration, professional development and institutional leadership, making her one of the country’s most accomplished legal practitioners.
Early Life and Education
Born on January 15, 1967, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (née Olumide) grew up in an intellectually stimulating environment.
She is the eldest child of Olufolabi Olumide and Clara Folasade Abiodun Olumide (née Solarin), who made history as the first female Registrar of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Raised within the university community in Akoka, Lagos, the newly NBA president-elect was exposed from an early age to the values of education, discipline and public service.
Her academic journey is notable for its unconventional path. She first obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Lagos before deciding, more than a decade later, to pursue a legal career by returning to study for a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.).
Following her graduation, she attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002.
Determined to deepen her expertise, she later earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary University of London, further strengthening her credentials in commercial legal practice.
Public Service and Professional Leadership
Beyond private legal practice, Badejo-Okusanya has made significant contributions to public administration and professional development.
In 2007, she joined the Lagos State Government as Senior Special Assistant on Justice Sector Reform to then Governor Babatunde Fashola.
Working within the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice under Olasupo Shasore, SAN, she played an active role in designing and coordinating administrative reforms aimed at strengthening the state’s justice system.
Her influence also extends to arbitration and mediation. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom) and an accredited mediator with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR).
She has served on the Executive Committee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) Nigeria Branch and chaired the institute’s Annual Conference Planning Committee across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
Within the Nigerian Bar Association, Badejo-Okusanya has held numerous leadership positions, including Assistant Secretary of the NBA Lagos Branch, Chairperson of the Annual Dinner Committee, and member of several strategic committees responsible for conference planning and institutional development.
These roles provided her with extensive experience in bar administration long before her emergence as President-elect.
Presidency of the Nigerian Bar Association
Badejo-Okusanya’s election as NBA President-elect is widely regarded as the culmination of decades of service to the legal profession.
During the electronic election conducted from July 18 to 19, 2026, she polled 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 percent of valid ballots cast, to defeat Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, who received 7,934 votes (30.39 percent), and Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, who secured 5,855 votes (22.43 percent).
The election recorded a voter turnout of 31.86 percent from 82,172 registered lawyers.
Although the exercise was historic, it was not without controversy. Several lawyers reported technical challenges with the electronic voting platform.
Former NBA Vice President Monday Ubani, SAN, congratulated Badejo-Okusanya on her victory but urged the association to review the election process, noting that many lawyers, including himself, were unable to vote because of technical issues. Despite the shortcomings, he maintained that she still “could’ve won” the election.
Following the election, outgoing NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, appealed for unity within the association, while Badejo-Okusanya’s campaign team pledged to pursue an inclusive leadership style capable of bringing together members across different interests within the Bar.
She is expected to formally assume office during the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from August 21 to 28, 2026.
Historic Victory Draws National Commendation
The significance of Badejo-Okusanya’s victory has attracted widespread commendation from legal practitioners, public officials and stakeholders.
Among the notable voices was former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who described her emergence as a defining moment for the legal profession.
“Congratulations to Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, on her election as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Your emergence as the first woman to attain this position through an election is both historic and well deserved,” Saraki wrote.
He further praised her record of service, saying, “you have distinguished yourself in commercial litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution, served Lagos State in the area of justice sector reform, and earned the respect of colleagues through years of dedicated service to the legal profession.”
Looking ahead to her tenure, Saraki expressed optimism about her leadership, adding:
“As you prepare to lead the NBA, I wish you wisdom, strength and success in advancing the rule of law, defending the independence of the Bar, and promoting justice and professional excellence. Congratulations once again, Madam President-elect.”
With decades of experience spanning litigation, arbitration, public service and professional leadership, Badejo-Okusanya now prepares to lead one of Nigeria’s most influential professional associations at a time when expectations are high for reforms, stronger institutional independence and greater unity within the legal profession.
____________________________
Bookmark Techparley.com for the most insightful technology news from the African continent.
Follow us on X/Twitter @Techparleynews, on Facebook at Techparley Africa, on LinkedIn at Techparley Africa, or on Instagram at Techparleynews
