Senior Advocate of Nigeria Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya has been elected the 33rd president of the Nigerian Bar Association.
She secured 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the 26,106 ballots cast in the association’s electronic election. Lateef Akangbe received 7,934 votes, while Olumuyiwa Akinboro polled 5,855 votes.
Her victory makes her the second woman to lead Nigeria’s largest professional association of lawyers.
Here are 12 things to know about the NBA president-elect.
1. She is the second female NBA president
Badejo-Okusanya follows Dame Priscilla Kuye, who became the NBA’s first female president in 1991.
Kuye assumed the position after then-president Clement Akpamgbo left office following his appointment as Nigeria’s Attorney-General. Badejo-Okusanya is therefore the first woman to win the NBA presidency through a direct vote by members.
2. She comes from a family of academics
Badejo-Okusanya is the daughter of the late Professor Olufolabi Olumide, a surgeon who became the first Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University.
Her mother, Clara Folasade Abiodun Olumide, was the first female Registrar of the University of Lagos. Badejo-Okusanya spent part of her childhood on the university’s Akoka campus.
3. She studied English before law
Her first degree was not in law.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Lagos before returning to the institution to study law.
4. She was called to the Bar in 2002
After completing her law degree, Badejo-Okusanya attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002.
She also holds a Master of Laws degree in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary University of London.
5. She began her career at Olaniwun Ajayi
Badejo-Okusanya started her legal career at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial law firms.
The role helped her build experience in litigation, commercial law and corporate legal practice.
6. She has more than 20 years of legal experience
Her practice covers commercial litigation, arbitration, mediation, regulatory compliance, technology, media and entertainment law.
She represents private companies and government institutions before trial and appellate courts in Nigeria.
7. She spent eight years in the Lagos State Government
Badejo-Okusanya worked in the Lagos State Government between 2007 and 2015.
She served as a senior aide on justice sector reform from 2007 to 2011 before becoming General Counsel in the Governor’s Office from 2011 to 2015.
Her work covered public-private partnerships, arbitration legislation, consumer protection and justice sector reforms.
8. She is a partner at Africa Law Practice
Badejo-Okusanya is a partner at Africa Law Practice NG & Company.
She specialises in commercial litigation and dispute resolution, with experience in domestic and international arbitration.
9. She became a Senior Advocate in 2025
She was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on September 29, 2025.
The rank is one of the highest professional honours awarded to Nigerian lawyers who have distinguished themselves in advocacy and legal practice.
10. She is an arbitration and mediation specialist
Badejo-Okusanya is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and an accredited Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution mediator.
She previously served on the executive committee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators’ Nigeria branch and sits on the board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration.
She is also affiliated with international organisations including the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, ArbitralWomen, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and the International Bar Association.
11. She has held major NBA responsibilities
Before contesting the presidency, Badejo-Okusanya served the NBA in several capacities.
In 2024, the association appointed her chairperson of the Annual General Conference Planning Committee. She had served as alternate chairperson of the committee in 2023.
She was also appointed as a member of the NBA National Executive Council for the 2024 to 2026 period.
12. She will serve for two years
Badejo-Okusanya will succeed Afam Osigwe as NBA president.
She is expected to assume office during the association’s Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The conference will run from August 21 to August 28, 2026.
Her tenure will run from 2026 to 2028. Lawyers will expect her administration to address welfare, professional discipline, accountability, technology, access to justice and reforms within the association.
