The President-Elect of the Nigerian Bar Association, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, FCIArb (UK), has expressed gratitude to members of the Association following her election as the 33rd President of the NBA, pledging to lead with integrity, courage, humility, fairness and accountability.
Badejo-Okusanya was declared winner of the 2026 NBA presidential election after polling 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the votes cast for the office of President.
Her closest challenger, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, secured 7,934 votes, representing 30.39 per cent, while Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, polled 5,855 votes, representing 22.43 per cent.
The presidential election recorded 26,106 votes from 82,172 registered voters, representing 31.86 per cent participation.
In her appreciation message titled “A Bold Message Of Gratitude,” Badejo-Okusanya said she was deeply humbled by the confidence reposed in her by members of the Association.
“Today, I stand before you with a heart filled with profound gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility,” she said.
She thanked lawyers for believing in what she described as the shared vision of “A Bolder Bar That Works For Everyone,” stressing that her victory was not hers alone but belonged to every member who believed that the NBA could become stronger, more inclusive, more responsive and better positioned to serve the interests of all lawyers.
Badejo-Okusanya said her campaign took her across the country, where she engaged with lawyers in every state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to her, the hopes, concerns, aspirations and ideas shared by members during those engagements shaped her campaign and would continue to guide her leadership.
She also appreciated every member who participated in the election, regardless of the candidate they supported, saying the election was over and the Bar must now remain united.
“The election is over. We are one Bar, united by a common commitment to the advancement of our profession and the defence of justice and the rule of law,” she stated.
The President-Elect congratulated her fellow contestants for their commitment to the Association and for enriching the democratic process, adding that she looked forward to working with them as partners in building an NBA that reflects the best of the legal profession.
She also thanked the BBOLD Campaign Council, volunteers, coordinators, supporters, friends, colleagues and all those who worked behind the scenes during the campaign.
Badejo-Okusanya reserved special appreciation for her husband, thanking him for his love, sacrifices, encouragement and unwavering belief in her throughout the journey.
She also appreciated her family, mentors, friends and everyone who supported her with prayers and encouragement.
The President-Elect said her victory marked not the end of a campaign but the beginning of a new responsibility.
“I will be a President for every member of the Nigerian Bar Association. Together, we will build an Association where every lawyer has the opportunity to earn better, live better, and practise better,” she said.
She added that the work of building a stronger NBA begins immediately, while praying for God’s blessings upon the Nigerian Bar Association and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
