Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has officially sent his congratulations to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, following her election as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Her victory marks a major turning point for the legal profession in Nigeria. She is only the second female president in the entire history of the NBA, following in the footsteps of Priscilla Kuye, who led the association back in 1991.
The election of a new leader for Nigeria’s largest body of lawyers is one of the biggest stories right now. Sanwo-Olu’s endorsement highlights just how significant this achievement is for lawyers, women in leadership, and the country as a whole.
Below is everything you need to know about Sanwo-Olu’s message, the outcome of the election, the history behind this win, and what lies ahead for the Nigerian Bar Association.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Message to the New NBA Boss
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu shared his congratulatory message in an official statement, describing the victory as a well-deserved milestone for the legal veteran. He noted that rising to the highest office in the Bar takes decades of consistent hard work, legal precision, and dedication to justice.
Sanwo-Olu pointed out that becoming the second female president in the 64-year history of the NBA is a monumental achievement. He explained that her win serves as a powerful message to young women and girls in Lagos State and across Nigeria who aspire to break barriers in their careers.
In his statement, Sanwo-Olu expressed full confidence in her ability to offer visionary leadership. He noted that her track record proves she has the character and skills needed to guide the legal community toward stronger defense of the rule of law and better delivery of justice.
The Lagos Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to work closely with the new NBA leadership. Lagos State remains the legal and economic heart of Nigeria, meaning strong cooperation between the state government and the lawyers’ association is essential for promoting peace, business growth, and judicial reforms.
Who is Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN?
Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya is a highly respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria with decades of experience in legal practice. Over the years, she has earned a strong reputation for her deep understanding of the law, professional ethics, and public service.
Before winning the presidential election, she played several key roles within the legal community. Most notably, she served as the Chairperson of the 2024 NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee. That event made history because, for the first time ever, the planning committee was led entirely by female lawyers. The success of that conference proved her executive capacity and built strong trust among her colleagues nationwide.
Her rise to the top of the NBA is special because female representation in legal executive roles has historically been low in Nigeria. Priscilla Kuye was the first woman to lead the NBA between 1991 and 1992. It took 34 years for another woman to take the helm.
Her election breaks a long-standing pattern and sets a fresh example for professional associations across Africa.
Inside the NBA Election: The Figures and the Drama
The national election was a heavily contested three-way race between top Senior Advocates of Nigeria. When the final results were announced at the NBA National Secretariat in Abuja by Electoral Committee Chairman Chief Aham Ejelam (SAN), Badejo-Okusanya emerged as the winner.
Here is how the votes were distributed among the main presidential candidates:
- Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN: 12,317 votes (47.18 percent of total votes cast)
- Lateef Akangbe, SAN: 7,934 votes
- Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN: 5,855 votes
With this victory, Badejo-Okusanya will serve a two-year tenure spanning from 2026 to 2028, officially taking over from outgoing NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN.
The E-Voting Process and Technical Glitches
The election was conducted electronically to allow legal practitioners across the country to cast their ballots remotely. However, the process was not without hurdles. The e-voting platform suffered major technical glitches and was subjected to attempted cyber attacks during voting.
These issues caused temporary delays, leading the electoral committee to migrate systems to more secure backup servers to protect vote counts. Outgoing President Afam Osigwe acknowledged these struggles during his speech, stating that despite attempts by bad actors to derail the process, the association stood firm to safeguard the integrity of the vote.
The technological challenge experienced during this election highlights how important digital security and smooth online platforms have become in modern administration. For readers interested in how modern technology, software tools, and online systems shape modern work, check out our insights on Technology and AI trends.
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What This Election Means for Women in Leadership
Sanwo-Olu’s public praise for Badejo-Okusanya points to a broader trend in Nigerian professional life: the rise of female leaders in traditional, male-dominated spaces.
For a long time, leadership positions in professional bodies like the law, engineering, and finance were dominated by men. Badejo-Okusanya’s win shows that progress is happening, even if slow.
Here are three reasons why her election matters for women across the country:
1. Breaking Executive Glass Ceilings
It proves that women can run competitive campaigns, win against tough opposition, and gain the trust of thousands of professionals across all regions of Nigeria.
2. Inspiring the Next Generation
Young female lawyers, law students, and young professionals now have a modern role model in executive legal leadership. Seeing a woman at the top proves that gender is not a barrier to reaching the peak of any career path.
3. Promoting Diverse Perspectives
Women leaders bring valuable perspectives on justice, workplace policy, legal ethics, and human rights. Having diverse voices at the highest level of the legal system benefits everyone in society.
Key Priorities Facing the New NBA Leadership
Taking over the leadership of the NBA comes with big responsibilities. As Badejo-Okusanya prepares to lead the association from 2026 to 2028, several urgent matters require attention.
Uniting the Bar Post-Election
Elections often create divisions among members. Because of the technical glitches and complaints raised by opposing camps during the vote, her primary duty will be uniting all factions. Members of her campaign team, including Aminu Gadanya (SAN), have already stated her commitment to reaching out to all aggrieved candidates to build a unified legal community.
Upgrading NBA Voting Tech and Cybersecurity
The cyber attacks and platform slowdowns during the election showed that the NBA must invest in stronger digital infrastructure. Future elections will need better encryption, higher server capacity, and foolproof data protection measures to maintain full voter confidence.
Defending Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law
Nigerians expect the NBA to speak out against human rights abuses, executive overreach, and court order violations. The new administration will need to keep the government accountable while pushing for faster court proceedings across Nigeria.
Improving Young Lawyers’ Welfare
Young legal practitioners face challenges such as poor remuneration, difficult working conditions, and limited access to modern legal tech tools. Expanding training programs and setting better welfare standards will likely be a major focus for her team.
Why the Partnership Between Lagos State and the NBA Matters
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s quick congratulatory message is not just political courtesy; it reflects the deep connection between Lagos State and the legal sector.
Lagos State hosts the highest concentration of courts, law firms, corporate legal departments, and legal practitioners in West Africa. Most major NBA conferences, legal seminars, and commercial dispute resolutions happen right in Lagos.
Over the years, the Lagos State Government has partnered with the NBA on several key initiatives, including:
- Constructing and renovating court complexes to speed up trials.
- Enhancing digital court registries and virtual court hearings.
- Supporting police reform and legal aid initiatives for low-income residents.
- Hosting major events like the NBA Annual General Conference.
With Badejo-Okusanya taking office, this partnership is expected to grow stronger. A stable, progressive legal environment in Lagos benefits the local economy by encouraging foreign investment, protecting contracts, and maintaining public order. You can read more about state leadership updates directly on the official Lagos State Government Portal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is the new NBA President elected in 2026?
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, was elected as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association in July 2026. She secured 12,317 votes to win the election.
What did Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu say about her election?
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu congratulated her, calling her victory a historic milestone and a well-deserved achievement. He praised her decades of hard work, legal precision, and commitment to the rule of law, while noting that her rise inspires young women across Nigeria.
How many women have served as NBA President?
Only two women have served as NBA President. Priscilla Kuye was the first female president (1991–1992), and Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya is the second (2026–2028).
What were the full presidential election results for the 2026 NBA election?
Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya won with 12,317 votes (47.18 percent). Lateef Akangbe, SAN, finished second with 7,934 votes, and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, finished third with 5,855 votes.
How long is the tenure of the new NBA President?
The NBA President serves a two-year tenure. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya’s term covers 2026 through 2028.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s warm message to Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya highlights a proud moment for the legal profession and the entire country. Breaking a 34-year gap to become the second female president of the NBA is a milestone that will be remembered for years to come. As she steps into office for her 2026 to 2028 tenure, all eyes will be on her administration to see how she tackles judicial challenges, improves voting technology, and unifies legal practitioners across Nigeria.
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