President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN) on her election as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The Nigerian leader has described her emergence as a historic milestone for the legal profession and a victory for merit, excellence and gender inclusion.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday.
According to the President, Badejo-Okusanya’s election as the first elected female President and second woman to lead the association reflects the growing recognition of the contributions of women to nation-building and the administration of justice.
Tinubu said the Senior Advocate of Nigeria had built a distinguished legal career marked by integrity, professionalism and commitment to justice, earning the trust and confidence of lawyers across the country.
He expressed confidence that her leadership would strengthen the legal profession by promoting the rule of law and advancing reforms that would improve access to justice for Nigerians.
The President also urged the new NBA President to work closely with stakeholders in the justice sector to promote judicial reforms, defend the Constitution and preserve the legal profession’s role in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.
“I extend my hearty congratulations to the President-elect of the NBA for her victory. As the first elected female president of the Association of Lawyers in Nigeria, Mrs Badejo-Okusanya has made history. She has once again shown that our women can attain any heights in pursuit of excellence in their careers and ambitions, both in the private sector and in public service,” Tinubu said.
“I urge you to reach out to the other contestants, unify the Bar and make efforts to correct issues that arose during your election.
“I wish you a successful tenure and service to the legal profession and our country at large.”
The President also assured the new NBA leadership of his administration’s commitment to working with the association to deepen democratic governance, strengthen the rule of law and promote justice across the country.
This online medium reports that Badejo-Okusanya emerged winner of the NBA’s 2026 presidential election after polling 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the total votes cast. She defeated Lateef Akangbe (SAN), who secured 7,934 votes, while Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN) came third with 5,855 votes.
// Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, FCIArb
// Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, SAN
Her victory came after an election that was extended following technical difficulties and what the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) described as a “deliberate, coordinated and sustained cyberattack” on the voting platform. The committee subsequently restored the system, migrated voting to a more secure platform and extended the voting period to allow eligible lawyers cast their ballots.
Following her victory, Badejo-Okusanya pledged to unite the legal profession and provide inclusive leadership focused on the welfare of lawyers across the country.
“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,” she said after the announcement of the results.
She added, “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.”
Badejo-Okusanya also appealed to lawyers who supported other candidates to join hands with her administration, stressing that the election had ended and that the NBA must move forward as one united body committed to defending justice, the rule of law and the legal profession. She becomes only the second woman to lead the Nigerian Bar Association and the first to be elected to the office by members of the association.
