Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has emerged as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) after winning the association’s 2026 national officers’ election.
The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) announced the result at the NBA National Secretariat in Abuja on Sunday.
Badejo-Okusanya secured 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the total votes cast.
She defeated her closest challenger, Lateef Akangbe, SAN, who polled 7,934 votes, or 30.39 per cent.
Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, finished third with 5,855 votes, representing 22.43 per cent.
The ECNBA Chairman, Aham Ejelam, SAN, said the election recorded 26,106 votes.
Badejo-Okusanya makes history
Badejo-Okusanya will lead the NBA for a two-year term covering 2026 to 2028.
Her victory also makes her the second woman to become NBA president.
She follows Priscilla Kuye, who headed the association from 1991 to 1992.
However, Badejo-Okusanya was not present when the electoral committee announced the result.
A member of her campaign team, Aminu Gadanya, SAN, explained that a flight delay prevented the president-elect from attending the declaration.
He added that Badejo-Okusanya plans to extend a “handshake of friendship” to other candidates and work towards unity within the association.
Other NBA officers elected
The election also produced other national officers for the association.
- First Vice-President: Oghenero Okoro — 11,024 votes
- General Secretary: Afam Okeke — 8,478 votes
- Assistant General Secretary: Aghogho Gladys — 14,312 votes
- Welfare Secretary: Chinelo Audrey Ofoegbunam — 14,911 votes
The results followed a difficult electoral process that faced technical problems and a reported cyberattack.
Osigwe speaks on cyberattack
Outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, said the electoral process survived attempts to disrupt it.
According to Osigwe, the cyberattack forced the electoral committee to rebuild its information technology system and migrate it to a more secure server.
He urged the incoming leadership to remain humble in victory and encouraged unsuccessful candidates to support the new administration.
Osigwe also warned that the attack highlighted the need for stronger data protection and cybersecurity within the NBA.
“Winners should extend the hand of fellowship to those who lost and have a united front to move the Bar forward,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of preserving unity within the legal profession.
NBA to review election process
The outgoing president disclosed that the ECNBA would conduct a comprehensive review of the election.
The review will examine the technical challenges, cybersecurity threats and other difficulties encountered during the process.
The committee will use its findings to strengthen future NBA elections and improve confidence in the association’s electoral system.
Osigwe also called on the incoming executive committee to protect the independence of the NBA and uphold the rule of law.
For more information about the Nigerian Bar Association, visit the NBA official website.
Key points
- Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya is the NBA’s 33rd president.
- She won with 12,317 votes.
- She becomes only the second woman to lead the association.
- The 2026 election faced technical problems and a reported cyberattack.
- The NBA plans a review aimed at improving future elections and cybersecurity.
