Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has been elected as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), following the conclusion of the association’s 2026 national elections.
She secured 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the total ballots cast, defeating fellow Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Lateef Akangbe, who polled 7,934 votes, and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, who received 5,855 votes.
The election results were announced on Sunday in Abuja by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), Aham Ejelam, SAN. According to the committee, a total of 26,106 votes were recorded.
Badejo-Okusanya will lead the association for a two-year term from 2026 to 2028. Her emergence also marks a significant milestone, as she becomes only the second woman to head the NBA, following Priscilla Kuye, who served as president between 1991 and 1992.
The election process experienced delays after technical issues and a cyberattack disrupted the voting system. Electoral officials said the ICT infrastructure had to be rebuilt and transferred to a more secure server before the process could be completed.
Other officers elected during the exercise include Oghenero Okoro as First Vice-President, Afam Okeke as General Secretary, Aghogho Gladys as Assistant General Secretary, and Chinelo Audrey Ofoegbunam as Welfare Secretary.
Badejo-Okusanya was not present when the results were declared. A member of her campaign team explained that she was delayed by flight arrangements but said the president-elect intends to work with all contestants to strengthen unity within the association.
Outgoing NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, praised the successful completion of the election despite attempts to disrupt the process. He urged the newly elected executives to embrace inclusive leadership while encouraging unsuccessful candidates to support the incoming administration.
Osigwe also said the association would undertake a comprehensive review of the election to address the challenges encountered, improve cybersecurity measures, and strengthen confidence in future NBA electoral processes.
