Newly elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has pledged to build an association where lawyers “earn better, live better and practise better,” following her victory in the 2026 national officers’ election.
Badejo-Okusanya, who was declared winner of the poll on Sunday, becomes the 33rd President of the NBA and only the second woman to lead Nigeria’s foremost professional body for lawyers.
In a message posted on her X account shortly after the announcement of the results, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) expressed gratitude to members of the association for entrusting her with the leadership of the Bar, describing her victory as a collective triumph for lawyers who believe in a more inclusive, responsive and progressive NBA.
“Today, I stand before you with a heart filled with profound gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility. 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,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya said her campaign was shaped by extensive consultations with lawyers across the country, noting that the concerns, aspirations and ideas shared during those engagements would form the foundation of her administration.
According to her, months of travelling across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory provided invaluable insights into the challenges confronting legal practitioners and reinforced the need for a Bar that delivers tangible value to its members.
She pledged to pursue reforms that would improve the welfare and professional opportunities of lawyers, promising an NBA where every member has the opportunity to thrive professionally and economically.
The new NBA president also appealed for unity among members, urging them to put the contest behind them and work together in advancing the legal profession and strengthening the rule of law.
“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,” she said.
She congratulated her fellow contestants for contributing to a credible democratic process and expressed readiness to work with them in building a stronger association.
Badejo-Okusanya also acknowledged the efforts of members of her campaign council, volunteers, supporters, family and friends, thanking them for their unwavering commitment throughout the electioneering process.
Her emergence is widely seen as a significant milestone for the NBA, raising expectations that her administration will focus on improving lawyers’ welfare, strengthening institutional reforms and enhancing the association’s role in promoting justice, the rule of law and good governance in Nigeria.
