Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has been elected as the new President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), becoming one of the few women to occupy the association’s highest office.
She emerged victorious in the NBA’s 2026 national election after polling 12,317 votes to defeat two fellow Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Lateef Akangbe and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, in the electronic poll conducted over a 24-hour period.
With her election, Badejo-Okusanya will lead Nigeria’s largest professional body of lawyers for the next two years, succeeding the outgoing leadership of the association.
Here are some important facts about the incoming NBA president.
Academic journey
Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya began her academic journey at the University of Lagos, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in English between 1983 and 1987.
Driven by her passion for the legal profession, she later returned to the University of Lagos to study Law and earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree in 2000.
She subsequently attended the Nigerian Law School, where she obtained her Barrister-at-Law (B.L.) qualification in 2002 before being called to the Nigerian Bar.
Distinguished legal career
The new NBA president has built an impressive legal career spanning more than two decades.
Her areas of expertise include litigation, commercial law, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
Throughout her career, she has represented private organisations, government agencies and multinational clients in complex commercial disputes before trial and appellate courts across Nigeria.
She has also handled international arbitration and investment-related disputes involving cross-border commercial transactions.
Experience in public service
Beyond private legal practice, Badejo-Okusanya has also served in government.
Between 2007 and 2011, she worked as Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Justice Sector Reform and Policy.
She later served as General Counsel to the Governor from 2011 to 2015, where she contributed to justice sector reforms, public-private partnership initiatives, consumer protection policies and arbitration legislation.
Her experience in public administration has earned her recognition within legal and policy circles.
Leadership in legal practice
Since May 2017, Badejo-Okusanya has been a partner at ALP NG & Co., where she provides legal services in litigation, arbitration, mediation, public policy and government relations.
She is widely respected for advising clients on regulatory compliance, dispute resolution and commercial transactions.
Her professional experience has made her one of Nigeria’s leading female legal practitioners.
Expert in arbitration and mediation
Badejo-Okusanya is well known for her contributions to 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.
She is also a member of several international legal organisations, including the International Bar Association, the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, ArbitralWomen, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and the Nigerian Bar Association.
In addition, she is an accredited mediator of the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), with extensive experience in resolving commercial disputes through mediation and arbitration.
Historic election victory
Badejo-Okusanya secured 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the total valid votes cast in the presidential election.
She defeated Lateef Akangbe (SAN), who polled 7,934 votes, while Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN) came third with 5,855 votes.
Her victory makes her the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association and only the second woman to lead the association after Priscilla Kuye, who served as NBA president between 1991 and 1992.
She is expected to serve a two-year tenure from 2026 to 2028.
Expectations as NBA president
As she prepares to assume office, members of the legal profession are expected to look to her leadership on issues relating to judicial independence, legal practice reforms, welfare of lawyers and the promotion of the rule of law.
Her administration is also expected to strengthen professional standards within the legal profession, deepen alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and promote greater engagement between the NBA, the judiciary and relevant government institutions.
With her extensive experience in litigation, arbitration and public service, Badejo-Okusanya begins her tenure with high expectations from lawyers and other stakeholders across Nigeria.