Meet Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, NBA President-Elect

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya has been elected as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), making history as only the second woman to lead the association since its establishment 66 years ago. She follows Priscilla Kuye, who served as the NBA's first female president from 1991 to 1992.

Badejo-Okusanya secured a decisive victory in the NBA's electronic election, polling 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the 26,106 ballots cast, ahead of fellow Senior Advocates of Nigeria Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe and Olumuyiwa Akinboro.

Her journey into the legal profession began with a strong academic foundation. She first earned a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English from the University of Lagos before obtaining a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the same institution. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002, beginning a legal career that has spanned more than two decades.

She started her professional career at the commercial law firm Olaniwun Ajayi LP, where she gained extensive experience in litigation and commercial law. In 2007, she was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Justice Sector Reform to then Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, serving in the office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olasupo Shasore. During her tenure, she contributed significantly to justice sector reforms in Lagos State.

In 2017, Badejo-Okusanya co-founded Africa Law Practice NG & Company (ALP NG & Co.), where she currently serves as Co-Head of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice. Under her leadership, the firm has developed into one of Nigeria's leading commercial law firms with affiliations across Africa.

Her professional achievements were further recognised when she was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on September 29, 2025, one of the highest honours in Nigeria's legal profession.

Within the Nigerian Bar Association, Badejo-Okusanya has built an impressive record of service. She has served as Assistant Secretary of the NBA Lagos Branch, Delegate to the 2006 NBA Elections, and member of several national committees, including the Future of the Legal Profession Committee and the Conference Investigation Committee. She also served as Alternate Chair of the 2023 NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee before chairing the committee for the 2024 Annual General Conference.

Her contributions earned her co-option into the NBA National Executive Council in 2022, while in August 2024, she received the NBA Presidential Medal of Service in recognition of her outstanding commitment to the association.

Beyond her domestic legal practice, Badejo-Okusanya is a respected arbitration practitioner with memberships in several international professional organisations, including the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), International Bar Association (IBA), Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), African Arbitration Association, ArbitralWomen, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), where she is a life member. She also serves on the Board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA).

Badejo-Okusanya is expected to succeed Afam Osigwe (SAN) as President of the Nigerian Bar Association and will be inaugurated alongside other newly elected national officers during the association's Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt later this month.