BREAKING: Badejo‑Okusanya Emerges 33rd NBA President
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo‑Okusanya, has been elected the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), following the conclusion of the association’s 2026 national officers’ election.
Announcing the results at the NBA National Secretariat in Abuja, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Aham Ejelam, SAN, disclosed that Badejo‑Okusanya secured 12,317 votes (47.18%), defeating Lateef Akangbe, SAN, who polled 7,934 votes (30.39%), and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, who garnered 5,855 votes (22.43%). A total of 26,106 votes were recorded.
Her victory ushers in a two‑year tenure (2026–2028) and marks a historic milestone as she becomes only the second woman to lead the NBA, after Mrs. Priscilla Kuye (1991–1992).
Other Elected Officers
● Oghenero Okoro – First Vice‑President (11,024 votes)
● Egya Nuhu John – Second Vice-President (18,496 votes, Unopposed)
● Pepple Iniobong Irene – Third Vice-President (19,200 votes, Unopposed)
● Afam Okeke – General Secretary (8,478 votes)
● Aghogho Gladys – Assistant General Secretary (14,312 votes)
● Esther Ifeoma Jimoh – Treasurer (21,908 votes, Unopposed)
● Chinelo Audrey Ofoegbunam – Welfare Secretary (14,911 votes)
● Dr Prince I. Azubuike – Publicity Secretary (14,686 votes)
● Hadiza Nasir Ahmad – Assistant Publicity Secretary (10,094 votes)
● Chidi Betsy Nnaji – Eastern Zone Representative (10,497 votes)
● Rotimi Komolafe – Western Zone Representative (14,816 votes)
● Huwaila Muhammad Ibrahim – Northern Zone Representative (13,327 votes)
The election process faced delays due to technical glitches and a cyberattack. Outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, commended the resilience of the Electoral Committee, noting that attempts to sabotage the process failed.
He urged the new leadership to be magnanimous in victory and called on unsuccessful candidates to rally behind the new executive. “The unity of the Bar cannot and should never be negotiated,” Osigwe emphasized, while also stressing the need for stronger cybersecurity and electoral integrity in future NBA elections.
Although absent at the announcement due to flight delays, her campaign representative, Aminu Gadanya, SAN, conveyed Badejo‑Okusanya’s commitment to extending a “handshake of friendship” to all candidates in the interest of unity and progress within the Bar.
