Things to know about Badejo-Okusanya, NBA’s second female president
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has emerged as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association after defeating two other senior advocates in the association’s electronic election.
The only female presidential candidate polled 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the total votes cast, to defeat Lateef Akangbe, SAN, who secured 7,934 votes, and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, who polled 5,855 votes.
Her victory is historic, making her only the second woman to lead the NBA in its over six decades of existence and the first woman to be elected directly by members.
Here are 12 things to know about the NBA president-elect.
1. She is the second woman to lead the NBA
Badejo-Okusanya becomes the second female president of the Nigerian Bar Association after Priscilla Kuye, who led the association between 1991 and 1992.
Unlike Kuye, who assumed office through constitutional succession after the resignation of the then NBA president, Clement Akpamgbo, Badejo-Okusanya is the first woman to be elected directly by members of the association.
2. She was born into a family of accomplished academics
Born on January 15, 1967, Badejo-Okusanya comes from a family renowned for academic excellence and public service.
Her father, the late Professor Olufolabi Olumide, was a distinguished surgeon and the first Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University.
Her mother, Clara Folasade Abiodun Olumide (née Solarin), also made history as the first female Registrar of the University of Lagos.
She spent part of her childhood on the University of Lagos campus, where she was raised in an environment that emphasised discipline, excellence and service.
3. She studied English before becoming a lawyer
Unlike many lawyers, Badejo-Okusanya first studied English at the University of Lagos, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987.
She later returned to the same university to study Law, obtaining her LL.B. in 2000 before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School, where she was called to the Bar in 2002.
She also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary University of London.
4. She has more than two decades of legal experience
Following her call to the Nigerian Bar, Badejo-Okusanya began her legal career at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial law firms.
Over the years, she has built expertise in litigation, arbitration, commercial law, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, media and entertainment law, mediation and dispute resolution.
In 2017, she became a founding partner at Africa Law Practice NG & Company (ALP NG & Co.), where she co-heads the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution practice.
5. She served in the Lagos State Government for eight years
Between 2007 and 2015, Badejo-Okusanya served in the Lagos State Government under former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.
She first worked as Senior Special Assistant on Justice Sector Reform before being appointed General Counsel to the Governor.
During her time in public service, she worked on justice sector reforms, public-private partnerships, arbitration legislation, consumer protection and the state’s home ownership mortgage scheme.
6. She became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2025
On September 29, 2025, Badejo-Okusanya was elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the highest professional distinction for legal practitioners in the country.
The rank is awarded to lawyers who have distinguished themselves through excellence in advocacy and contributions to the legal profession.
7. She is an expert in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution
Badejo-Okusanya is widely recognised for her work in arbitration and mediation.
She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and an accredited Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) mediator.
She previously served on the Executive Committee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Nigeria Branch, and currently serves on the Board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration.
She also participated in arbitration reform efforts that contributed to Nigeria’s Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023.
8. She belongs to several international legal organisations
Beyond Nigeria, Badejo-Okusanya is affiliated with several leading legal bodies across the world.
These include the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), African Arbitration Association, International Bar Association (IBA), Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), ArbitralWomen, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA).
9. She has served the NBA in several leadership roles
Before emerging president-elect, Badejo-Okusanya had spent years serving the Nigerian Bar Association in different capacities.
She has served as Assistant Secretary of the NBA Lagos Branch, member of the National Executive Council, member of several conference planning committees and chair of the 2024 Annual General Conference Planning Committee.
In recognition of her contributions, she received the NBA Presidential Medal of Service in 2024.
10. She defeated two senior advocates to emerge president
Badejo-Okusanya contested the NBA presidency alongside Lateef Akangbe, SAN, and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN.
At the end of the electronic election, she secured 12,317 votes (47.18 per cent) to emerge winner.
Akangbe received 7,934 votes (30.39 per cent), while Akinboro polled 5,855 votes (22.43 per cent).
11. She is an active Christian
Away from the courtroom, Badejo-Okusanya is actively involved in church activities.
She serves as a Church Steward and is also a chorister at Emmanuel Chapel, Methodist Church Nigeria, Ikoyi, Lagos.
She has often spoken about balancing a demanding legal career with her commitment to faith and service.
12. She will lead the NBA for the next two years
Badejo-Okusanya is expected to assume office during the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
She will succeed Afam Osigwe, SAN, and is expected to serve a two-year tenure from 2026 to 2028.
Her emergence comes at a time when lawyers have called for stronger welfare packages, institutional reforms, greater accountability and improved access to justice, issues expected to shape her administration.
