Meet Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya: Only Second Woman to Lead NBA in 93 Years

Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya

Meet Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya: Only Second Woman to Lead NBA in 93 Years

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria made history as only the second woman to lead the Nigerian Bar Association in its 93-year history, securing 12,317 votes in an election disrupted by a cyberattack

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has elected Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) , as its 33rd president, making her only the second woman to lead the association since its formation in 1933 . She polled 12,317 votes (47.18 per cent) to defeat fellow SANs Lateef Akangbe (7,934 votes) and Olumuyiwa Akinboro (5,855 votes) in an electronic election that was delayed by a cyberattack on the voting platform .

Here are seven key things to know about the incoming NBA president.

1. Academic Background

Badejo-Okusanya holds degrees in both English and Law from the University of Lagos . She earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English between 1983 and 1987 before returning to study Law, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in 2000 . She later attended the Nigerian Law School, where she obtained her Barrister-at-Law (B.L.) qualification in 2002 .

2. Legal Career and SAN Rank

The Senior Advocate has built a legal career spanning more than two decades in litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) . She specialises in domestic and international dispute resolution and has represented both private and government clients in commercial matters before trial and appellate courts across Nigeria . She began her legal career at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial law firms, and was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on September 29, 2025, one of the highest honours in the legal profession .

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3. Public Service in Lagos State

Before returning to private practice, Badejo-Okusanya served in the Lagos State Government. She was Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Justice Sector Reform and Policy between 2007 and 2011 before serving as General Counsel to the Governor from 2011 to 2015 . In July 2011, she was appointed General Counsel to the Governor of Lagos State and played a pivotal part in developing the landmark Lagos State Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS) under the Fashola administration . During her time in government, she worked on public-private partnerships, arbitration legislation, consumer protection and justice sector reforms .

4. Law Firm Leadership

Since May 2017, Badejo-Okusanya has been a founding partner at ALP NG & Co (Africa Law Practice NG & Company), where she serves as Co-Head of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice . Her practice covers litigation, arbitration, mediation, public policy and government relations, and she is also recognised for her expertise in regulatory compliance and dispute resolution .

5. Arbitration and Professional Memberships

Badejo-Okusanya has played active roles in arbitration and legal organisations . 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 is also a member of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, ArbitralWomen, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the International Bar Association, the London Court of International Arbitration, and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) .

6. Mediation and Dispute Resolution Expertise

An accredited Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) mediator, Badejo-Okusanya is recognised for her expertise in arbitration and ADR . She is frequently consulted on international arbitration matters and regulatory compliance, with experience across both domestic and international dispute resolution frameworks .

7. Historic Victory

With her victory, Badejo-Okusanya became the 33rd President of the NBA and only the second woman to lead the association, following Priscilla Kuye, who served as NBA president from 1991 to 1992 . She is also the first woman to be directly elected to the position, as Kuye had assumed office from the position of First Vice President when the then president was appointed Attorney-General of the Federation . She will serve a two-year term from 2026 to 2028 . In her victory statement, she pledged to “lead with integrity, courage, humility, fairness, and accountability” and promised to build “an NBA where lawyers can earn better, live better, and practise better” .