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By Our Correspondent

Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has been elected the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), making history as only the second woman to lead the country’s foremost legal professional body since its establishment in 1933.

Badejo-Okusanya emerged victorious after polling 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the 26,106 ballots cast in the NBA’s 24-hour electronic election, which commenced at 7:35 a.m. on Saturday and ended on Sunday morning.

The results were announced by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the NBA, Chief Aham Ejelam (SAN).

She defeated two other presidential candidates, Chief Lateef Akangbe (SAN), who secured 7,934 votes (30.39 per cent), and Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, who garnered 5,855 votes (22.43 per cent).

The newly elected president, who campaigned on the slogan, “A Bolder Bar That Works for Everyone,” described her victory as a collective triumph for members who believe the association can become stronger, more inclusive and more responsive to the needs of lawyers across the country.

In an acceptance speech shortly after her election, Badejo-Okusanya expressed profound gratitude to members of the association for entrusting her with the leadership of the NBA.

“Today, I stand before you with a heart filled with profound gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility,” she said.

“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 recalled travelling across the country during the campaign to engage lawyers in every state and the Federal Capital Territory, saying the conversations with members would shape her administration.

“Over the past months, I had the privilege of travelling across our nation, engaging with colleagues in every state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. I listened to your hopes, your concerns, your aspirations, and your ideas. Those conversations shaped this campaign, and they will continue to guide my leadership,” she said.

Calling for unity after the election, the president-elect urged all members to put the contest behind them and work together for the advancement of the legal profession.

“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 stated.

She also congratulated her fellow contestants for contributing to a robust democratic process and pledged to work with them in building a stronger association.

Badejo-Okusanya reserved special appreciation for members of her BBOLD Campaign Council, volunteers, supporters, mentors, friends and family, particularly her husband, whom she thanked for his unwavering support throughout the campaign.

She described her election as the beginning of a greater responsibility rather than the end of a political contest.

“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.

“The work begins now,” she declared.

Her election recreates a historic milestone achieved 34 years ago when Chief Priscilla Kuye became the first woman to lead the NBA in 1992 after the then President, Chief Clement Akpamgbo, was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation.

The annual general conference later held in Port Harcourt, where Kuye and three other candidates had been cleared to contest for the presidency, was eventually adjourned indefinitely following a court order restraining the conduct of the election.

Meanwhile, Mr. Afam Okeke was elected the association’s General Secretary after polling 8,478 votes to defeat his opponents.

The newly elected national officers will serve a two-year tenure from 2026 to 2028.

Founded in 1933, the Nigerian Bar Association has grown into the country’s umbrella body for legal practitioners, with 129 branches, three professional sections, two specialised institutes and six practice-cadre forums. Under Badejo-Okusanya’s leadership, expectations are high that the association will pursue reforms aimed at strengthening the legal profession, promoting the rule of law and improving the welfare of lawyers across Nigeria.