The Nigerian Bar Association has ushered in a new era of leadership following the conclusion of its 2026 national elections, with Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, emerging as the association’s 33rd President after a fiercely contested poll. Her victory marks a significant milestone in the history of the legal profession as she becomes only the second woman to occupy the prestigious office and the first in over three decades.
The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association officially announced the results after the completion of electronic voting. Badejo-Okusanya defeated fellow Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Lateef Akangbe and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, securing 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 percent of the total votes cast. Akangbe finished second with 7,934 votes, while Akinboro polled 5,855 votes.
The election also produced a fresh crop of national officers who will steer the affairs of the NBA over the next administration. Other successful candidates emerged in various executive positions, including General Secretary, Treasurer, Welfare Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Assistant General Secretary, Assistant Publicity Secretary and members of the Executive Committee, following a transparent electoral process conducted by the ECNBA. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Badejo-Okusanya’s emergence has attracted widespread commendation across the legal community and beyond, with many describing her victory as a defining moment for gender inclusion and progressive leadership within Nigeria’s legal profession. She has pledged to lead the association with fairness, accountability and unwavering commitment to protecting the independence of the Bar while advancing the welfare of legal practitioners nationwide.
The 2026 NBA election was closely watched by lawyers across the country, as it was expected to shape the future direction of one of Nigeria’s most influential professional bodies. With the new leadership now in place, attention has shifted to how the incoming executives will address pressing issues affecting the legal profession, judicial reforms, access to justice and the rule of law.
The full list of winners released by the Electoral Committee reflects the conclusion of a highly competitive electoral process that has now set the stage for a new chapter in the Nigerian Bar Association’s history under the leadership of Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya.
