By Chioma Vivian James
In a defining moment for Nigeria’s legal profession, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has been elected the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), becoming only the second woman in the association’s 93-year history to occupy the prestigious office.
Her victory in the 2026 NBA national election marks a significant milestone for gender inclusion, leadership diversity, and the evolving character of the legal profession in Nigeria. Beyond the symbolism of her emergence, the election reflected the resilience of the Bar in the face of unprecedented challenges, including internal disagreements and a cyberattack that threatened to disrupt the voting process.
A Historic Mandate
Badejo-Okusanya secured a total of 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the 26,106 ballots cast in the keenly contested presidential election conducted through a 24-hour electronic voting system. The exercise commenced at 7:35 a.m. on Saturday and concluded at 7:34 a.m. on Sunday.
She defeated two formidable contenders—Lateef Akangbe, SAN, who polled 7,934 votes (30.39 per cent), and Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, who garnered 5,855 votes (22.43 per cent).
The results were officially announced at the NBA National Secretariat in Abuja by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), Chief Aham Ejelam, SAN, who declared Badejo-Okusanya duly elected after the collation and verification of votes.
Her victory represents more than an electoral success; it is a historic re-enactment of a milestone achieved 34 years ago when the association first elected a woman to its highest office. For many observers, her emergence signals the growing acceptance of inclusive leadership within one of Nigeria’s most influential professional bodies.
A Campaign Anchored on Unity and Progress
Throughout the election season, Badejo-Okusanya positioned herself as a candidate committed to strengthening the Bar, enhancing professional welfare, and promoting institutional reforms. Her campaign resonated with lawyers across diverse demographics, earning widespread support from practitioners seeking a fresh direction for the association.
Although she was unable to attend the official declaration of results due to a delayed flight, members of her campaign team conveyed her gratitude to supporters and her commitment to fostering reconciliation within the profession.
Speaking on her behalf, campaign representative Aminu Gadanya, SAN, emphasized that the President-elect intends to extend a “handshake of friendship” to her opponents and their supporters, underscoring the need for unity after a fiercely contested election.
That message of inclusiveness is expected to form a cornerstone of her administration as she prepares to lead an association that has recently experienced intense debates over governance, elections, and institutional reforms.
Election Tested by Cyber Threats
The 2026 NBA election will be remembered not only for its historic outcome but also for the challenges that accompanied it.
Outgoing NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, disclosed that the electoral process faced significant threats, including a cyberattack that nearly derailed the exercise. According to him, extraordinary efforts were required to preserve the integrity of the election and ensure that members were able to cast their votes.
He revealed that the association’s ICT infrastructure had to be rebuilt and transferred to a safer server environment to guarantee the continuity of the electoral process.
Despite the disruptions, the election was successfully concluded, a development many stakeholders have described as a testament to the determination of the NBA to safeguard its democratic processes.
Osigwe noted that several attempts were allegedly made to undermine confidence in the election through public criticism and misinformation, but maintained that the association remained steadfast in its commitment to conducting a credible exercise.
Call for Healing and Reconciliation
Following the announcement of the results, the outgoing NBA President urged all stakeholders to place the interests of the legal profession above personal ambitions.
Describing the current period as a crucial moment for healing, he appealed to victorious candidates to be magnanimous and to celebrate their success with humility.
According to him, the election should ultimately strengthen rather than divide the association, stressing that the true winner must be the Nigerian Bar itself.
His remarks reflected concerns within legal circles about the need to rebuild trust, reinforce unity, and preserve the NBA’s reputation as a leading voice on matters of justice, democracy, and the rule of law.
A New Leadership Team
Alongside the presidential election, members also elected other national officers who will steer the affairs of the association for the next two years.
Among them is Afam Okeke, who emerged as General Secretary after securing 8,478 votes. Together with other elected officials, he will serve from 2026 to 2028.
The new leadership is expected to address key issues affecting legal practitioners, including professional development, judicial reforms, technological innovation, welfare concerns, and the protection of the independence of the legal profession.
Looking Ahead
As Badejo-Okusanya prepares to assume office, expectations are high across the legal community. Her emergence has been celebrated as a victory for merit, perseverance, and the increasing participation of women in leadership positions within the legal profession.
Observers believe her administration will be closely watched for how it navigates post-election reconciliation, strengthens institutional credibility, and responds to the technological vulnerabilities exposed during the electoral process.
For many lawyers, however, her victory represents something even greater: a reminder that progress within professional institutions is possible when competence, vision, and determination converge.
With history once again made at the Nigerian Bar Association, all eyes now turn to the President-elect as she prepares to lead the nation’s foremost legal body into a new era of reform, unity, and transformation.
