The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has elected Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, as its 33rd President, making her the second woman to lead the association since its establishment in 1933.
The announcement followed the successful conclusion of the NBA’s 2026 national officers’ election, which was conducted despite technical challenges and disputes that threatened to disrupt the process.
Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), Chief Aham Ejelam, SAN, declared Badejo-Okusanya the winner after she secured 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 percent of the total votes cast.
Her closest challenger, Lateef Akangbe, SAN, received 7,934 votes, representing 30.39 percent, while Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, came third with 5,855 votes, representing 22.43 percent.
Ejelam disclosed that a total of 26,106 votes were recorded in the highly contested presidential election.
With her victory, Badejo-Okusanya follows in the footsteps of the NBA’s first female president, 34 years after the association made history by electing a woman to the leadership position.
Mr. Afam Okeke was also elected as the NBA General Secretary after polling 8,478 votes to defeat other contenders. All newly elected national officers will serve a two-year tenure from 2026 to 2028.
Although Badejo-Okusanya was not physically present during the announcement of the results at the NBA headquarters in Abuja due to a flight delay, her campaign representative, Aminu Gadanya, SAN, said the president-elect was committed to reconciliation and extending a “handshake of friendship” to all candidates who contested against her.
Outgoing NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, acknowledged the difficulties experienced during the election, including a cyberattack that threatened the integrity of the voting process.
Osigwe said efforts were made by some individuals to undermine the election but praised the resilience of the electoral committee in ensuring the process was completed.
He urged the incoming leadership to remain humble in victory and focus on rebuilding unity within the legal profession.
“This is a time for healing. At the end of the day, let the Bar be the winner,” Osigwe said.
The outgoing NBA president added that the electoral committee would conduct a detailed review of the challenges encountered, particularly the cyberattack, to strengthen future elections and improve confidence in the association’s democratic process.
He emphasized the need for stronger cybersecurity measures and greater protection of the NBA’s electoral systems, noting that the association must continue to safeguard its independence and control over its internal affairs.
