Making History as NBA’s 33rd President and Second Woman to Lead the Bar
Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya has shattered glass ceilings, emerging victorious in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential election to become the association’s 33rd president and only the second woman to hold the office in its history.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) secured a decisive victory with 12,317 votes (47.18%) , defeating fellow SANs Lateef Akangbe (7,934 votes) and Olumuyiwa Akinboro (5,855 votes) in the July 18-19, 2026 election.
A Journey of Persistence
Born January 15, 1967, in Lagos, Badejo-Okusanya grew up in an academic household that shaped her values. Her father was the first Vice-Chancellor of LASU, while her mother became the first female Registrar of UNILAG.
After earning a BA in English from UNILAG in 1987, she stepped away from law for over a decade before returning to obtain her LL.B in 2000. She was called to the Bar in 2002—proof that it’s never too late to pursue one’s calling.
Professional Career Highlights
Badejo-Okusanya began her legal career at Olaniwun Ajayi LP before serving eight years in the Lagos State Government (2007-2015):
· Senior Special Assistant on Justice Sector Reform
· General Counsel to the Governor
In 2017, she became a founding partner of Africa Law Practice NG & Company, co-heading the litigation and dispute resolution practice. Her expertise covers intellectual property, media law, and regulatory compliance.
Professional Affiliations
She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, accredited CEDR mediator, and member of the London Court of International Arbitration, ICCA, IBA, and FIDA. She contributed to Nigeria’s Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 and was elevated to SAN in September 2025.
Two Decades of NBA Service
Badejo-Okusanya has served the NBA as:
· Assistant Secretary, NBA Lagos Branch
· Chair, 2024 Annual General Conference Planning Committee
· Member, National Executive Council (2022-present)
She received the NBA Presidential Medal of Service in August 2024.
A Vision for a “Bolder Bar”
Running on the slogan “A Bolder Bar That Works for Everyone,” her campaign focused on lawyers’ welfare, institutional accountability, and reducing legal practice costs.
Personal Life
She is married to Yomi Badejo-Okusanya with a son, and is an active chorister at Emmanuel Chapel, Methodist Church Nigeria in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Historic Victory
Despite a coordinated cyberattack that delayed voting, Badejo-Okusanya maintained a steady lead throughout the 24-hour electronic voting, securing a historic win that inspires a new generation of legal practitioners.
