Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has made history after emerging as the 33rd President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), becoming the first woman to win the association’s highest office through an election. TVC News Online earlier reported that she was declared winner of the NBA’s 2026 national……
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has made history after emerging as the 33rd President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), becoming the first woman to win the association’s highest office through an election.
TVC News Online earlier reported that she was declared winner of the NBA’s 2026 national election after polling 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the 26,106 valid votes cast.
She defeated fellow Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, who secured 7,934 votes (30.39 per cent), and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, who polled 5,855 votes (22.43 per cent), according to the final results announced by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA).
Badejo-Okusanya will succeed the outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), and is expected to be sworn in during the association’s Annual General Conference scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from August 21 to 28, 2026.
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Her election marks a defining moment in the NBA’s history.
Dame Priscilla Kuye, who became the first female president of the association in 1991, did so after succeeding Clement Akpamgbo following his appointment as Attorney General of the Federation.
Academic Background
Badejo-Okusanya has a multidisciplinary academic background. She first obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in English from the University of Lagos before earning a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the same institution. She thereafter proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002.
She also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary University of London, where she further developed her expertise in commercial transactions, corporate governance and dispute resolution.
Legal Career
Following her call to the Bar, Badejo-Okusanya began her legal career at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial law firms.
She later became a founding partner of Africa Law Practice NG & Company, where she currently co-heads the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice, handling complex commercial litigation, arbitration, mediation and corporate advisory matters.
In September 2025, she was elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Nigeria’s highest professional distinction for legal practitioners.
Beyond courtroom advocacy, she has built a strong reputation in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. She previously served on the Executive Committee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Nigeria Branch, and currently sits on the Board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, contributing to the development of commercial arbitration in Nigeria.
Public Service
Badejo-Okusanya has also served in public office.
In 2007, she was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Justice Sector Reform by former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola. She worked in the Office of the then Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olasupo Shasore, where she contributed to justice sector reforms.
She later served as General Counsel in the Governor’s Office, where she was involved in public-private partnership initiatives, arbitration legislation, consumer protection policies and product liability matters during her years in the Lagos State Government.
NBA Leadership Journey
Long before becoming President-elect, Badejo-Okusanya had established herself as an active participant in the affairs of the Nigerian Bar Association.
She served as Assistant Secretary of the NBA Lagos Branch and was a member of several national committees of the association.
She was also the Alternate Chair of the 2023 NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee before chairing the 2024 Annual General Conference Planning Committee.
In 2022, she was co-opted into the NBA National Executive Council and, in recognition of her contributions to the association and the legal profession, received the NBA Presidential Medal of Service in 2024.
Professional Memberships
Her professional affiliations extend beyond Nigeria.
She is an accredited Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) Mediator and belongs to several respected legal organisations, including the International Bar Association (IBA), Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), African Arbitration Association, ArbitralWomen, London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA).
Family Background
Badejo-Okusanya comes from a family with distinguished records in academia and public service.
Her late father, Professor Afolabi Olumide, was a renowned surgeon and the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), serving as the university’s first Vice-Chancellor from 1983 to 1988.
Her mother, Clara Folasade Abiodun Olumide (née Solarin), is also widely recognised for her contributions to higher education administration.
Faith and Community Service
Outside legal practice, Badejo-Okusanya is actively involved in church and community service.
She is a member of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Emmanuel Chapel, Ikoyi, where she serves as a Church Steward and is also a member of the church choir.
A Historic Mandate
Her election is widely seen as a historic milestone not only because she becomes the NBA’s 33rd President, but because she is the first woman to earn the office through the votes of members, opening a new chapter in the association’s leadership.