Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has been elected as the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), becoming the second woman to lead the country’s major body of legal practitioners.
Badejo-Okusanya emerged victorious after polling 12,317 votes in the association’s 2026 presidential election, which was conducted electronically over a 24-hour period from 7:35 a.m. on Saturday to 7:34 a.m. on Sunday.
She secured 47.18 per cent of the 26,106 valid ballots cast, defeating two other candidates to win the presidency.
The result was announced after voting officially closed on Sunday morning.
Speaking shortly after her victory, Mrs Badejo-Okusanya thanked her colleagues for reposing confidence in her.
“I am truly humbled by the confidence that members of the Nigerian Bar Association have reposed in me by electing me to serve as your president.
“Thank you for believing in our shared vision of A BOLDER BAR THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE. This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to every member who believed that our association can be stronger, more inclusive, more responsive, and better positioned to serve the interests of all lawyers.
“Over the past months, I had the privilege of travelling across our nation, engaging with colleagues in every state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. I listened to your hopes, your concerns, your aspirations, and your ideas. Those conversations shaped this campaign, and they will continue to guide my leadership.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to every member who participated in this election, regardless of the candidate you supported. The election is over. We are one Bar, united by a common commitment to the advancement of our profession and the defence of justice and the rule of law.
“I congratulate my fellow contestants for their commitment to our association and for enriching this democratic process. I look forward to working with all of you as partners in building an NBA that reflects the very best of our profession.
“I pledge to lead with integrity, courage, humility, fairness, and accountability. I will be a president for every member of the Nigerian Bar Association. Together, we will build an association where every lawyer has the opportunity to earn better, live better, and practise better. The work begins now.”
