Badejo Okusanya Makes History as First Elected Female NBA President

(Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya. Photo by Naija News)

Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, was elected as the first democratically elected female president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated her, calling her victory a historic accomplishment for Nigeria's legal profession and a testament to merit, excellence, and gender inclusion.

The President said in a statement released on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, that Badejo-Okusanya's rise represented a turning point for the legal profession and demonstrated the increasing acknowledgement of women's roles in the administration of justice and nation-building.

President Tinubu noted that the senior advocate's distinguished career, marked by integrity, professionalism and commitment to justice, had earned her the confidence of lawyers across the country.

He expressed confidence that her leadership would strengthen the legal profession by upholding the rule of law and advancing reforms aimed at improving access to justice for all Nigerians.

The President also urged the incoming NBA president to work closely with stakeholders to promote judicial reforms, protect the sanctity of the Constitution, and reinforce the legal profession's role in sustaining Nigeria's democracy.

Congratulating Badejo-Okusanya on making history, Tinubu said her election demonstrated that Nigerian women could attain the highest levels of professional achievement in both the private and public sectors.

He described her as the first elected female president of the Nigerian Bar Association, noting that she had once again shown that Nigerian women can attain any heights in pursuit of excellence in their careers and ambitions, whether in the private sector or public service.

He also called on her to foster unity within the legal community following the election, urging her to reach out to other contestants, unify the Bar, and address issues that arose during the election process.

He wished her a successful tenure and continued service to the legal profession and the country at large.

The President reaffirmed his administration's commitment to working with the Nigerian Bar Association to deepen democratic governance, promote justice, and support reforms that strengthen Nigeria's legal and judicial institutions.