Oyinkansola Okusanya becomes first female NBA president

Oyinkansola Okusanya new NBA president elect

In a landmark moment for the Nigerian legal community, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya has been elected as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). 

Her victory marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman ever to win the prestigious office through a competitive election.

The official results were announced on Sunday at the NBA headquarters in Abuja by Chief Aham Ejelam, SAN, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), following the conclusion of a seamless electronic voting process.

The Electoral Breakdown

Badejo-Okusanya secured a decisive victory in a three-way race, capturing the majority of the legal community's support. Out of a total of 26,106 valid votes cast, the final tally stood as follows:

Candidate	Votes Secured	Percentage of Total
Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN	12,317	47.18%
Lateef Akangbe, SAN	7,934	30.39%
Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN	5,855	22.43%

In tandem with the presidential race, the national bar also elected Afam Okeke as the new General Secretary, who emerged victorious after polling 8,478 votes to defeat his contenders. The newly elected executive team is scheduled to serve a two-year term spanning from 2026 to 2028.

Breaking a Decades-Long Glass Ceiling

While Badejo-Okusanya is the second woman to lead the NBA, she is the very first to do so by winning a popular vote. The only other female to hold the position was Dame Priscilla Kuye in 1991. However, Kuye’s ascension was not via an election, but rather a succession after then-president Clement Akpamgbo, SAN, vacated the seat upon being appointed as the Attorney General of the Federation.

Due to an unexpected flight delay, Badejo-Okusanya was unable to attend the live announcement in Abuja. However, her campaign team moved quickly to signal a message of unity and collaborative leadership for the future of the bar.

Speaking on her behalf at the headquarters, campaign team member Aminu Gadanya, SAN, emphasized her inclusive vision, stating that she is committed to extending a “handshake of friendship” to her fellow contestants following the election.

***Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya’s historic triumph represents a monumental shift toward gender inclusivity at the highest echelons of Nigeria's legal profession. By earning a clear democratic mandate from over 12,000 of her peers, her upcoming presidency carries both the weight of history and high expectations for institutional reform. As the new executive team prepares to take the reins for the 2026–2028 term, the immediate focus will shift to how the administration unifies a divided ballot and steers the NBA through the evolving challenges of the nation's legal landscape.