A new chapter has opened in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) after Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, emerged as the association’s next president.
Her victory marks a historic moment, as she becomes only the second woman to lead the NBA since it was founded in 1933.
The outcome has attracted attention within the legal community. Moreover, it comes 34 years after the NBA last elected a female president.
The NBA Presidency victory followed a keenly contested electronic election that lasted 24 hours. Voting began at 7:35 a.m. on Saturday and officially ended at 7:34 a.m. on Sunday.
According to the final results, Badejo-Okusanya secured 12,317 votes.
She defeated two other candidates to claim the association’s highest office.
Furthermore, she polled 47.18 percent of the 26,106 valid ballots cast during the presidential election.
Her victory means she will become the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association.
She will lead the legal body for a two-year term spanning 2026 to 2028.
The election was conducted electronically, reflecting the association’s continued use of digital voting.
Meanwhile, members of the NBA also elected other national officers.
Afam Okeke emerged as the new General Secretary of the association. He secured 8,478 votes to defeat his challengers. Like the president-elect, he will also serve between 2026 and 2028.
Although Badejo-Okusanya was not present when the election results were announced at the NBA headquarters in Abuja, her absence was explained by her campaign team.
A member of the team, Aminu Gadanya, SAN, disclosed that the president-elect experienced a flight delay.
However, he conveyed her appreciation to members who participated in the election.
He also revealed her commitment to promoting unity within the association.
According to Gadanya, Badejo-Okusanya intends to extend a “handshake of friendship” to all aggrieved candidates following the election.
Furthermore, legal practitioners have described the outcome as another important milestone for the association.
Her emergence has renewed conversations about women’s leadership in the legal profession.
Meanwhile, expectations are already building over the priorities of the incoming administration.
Members are expected to look forward to initiatives aimed at strengthening the legal profession.
Attention will also focus on improving welfare, professional development and justice sector reforms.
