Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has been elected as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) after securing victory in the association’s 2026 national officers’ election.
The election results were announced on Sunday at the NBA National Secretariat in Abuja by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), Aham Ejelam, SAN, following the conclusion of the voting process. The election experienced delays due to technical issues and a reported cyberattack before the final results were released.
According to the ECNBA, Badejo-Okusanya garnered 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 percent of the total votes cast, defeating her closest rival, Lateef Akangbe, SAN, who secured 7,934 votes (30.39 percent). The third candidate, Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, received 5,855 votes, accounting for 22.43 percent of the ballots.
The committee disclosed that a total of 26,106 valid votes were recorded during the election, reflecting strong participation from eligible members of the legal profession across Nigeria.
With her victory, Badejo-Okusanya will lead the Nigerian Bar Association for a two-year tenure from 2026 to 2028. Her emergence is historic, as she becomes only the second woman to occupy the association’s highest office, following Priscilla Kuye, who served as NBA President between 1991 and 1992.
The election also produced other national officers who will serve alongside the new president. Oghenero Okoro was elected First Vice-President with 11,024 votes, while Afam Okeke emerged as General Secretary after polling 8,478 votes. Aghogho Gladys won the position of Assistant General Secretary with 14,312 votes, and Chinelo Audrey Ofoegbunam secured the office of Welfare Secretary with 14,911 votes.
Badejo-Okusanya was not present when the election results were officially declared. Explaining her absence, a member of her campaign team, Aminu Gadanya, SAN, said she was delayed due to a flight schedule.
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He added that the president-elect remains committed to fostering unity within the association and intends to extend a “handshake of friendship” to all contestants and stakeholders to promote cooperation and strengthen the NBA as she prepares to assume office.
