Badejo-Okusanya wins NBA election, becomes 2nd Female President

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Sunday concluded its 2026 national officers’ election, announcing Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, as winner of the presidential race.

Declaring the results, Chairman of the NBA Electoral Committee, Chief Aham Ejelam said Badejo-Okusanya polled 12,317 votes (47.18 percent) to defeat Lateef Akangbe, who scored 7,934 votes (30.39 percent).

Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, polled 5,855 votes (22.43 percent) to place third.

Ejelam disclosed that a total of 26,106 votes were cast in the keenly contested presidential race.

With her victory, Badejo-Okusanya becomes the 33rd President of the association and only the second woman to lead the NBA since its founding in 1933 — 34 years after the first.

In the race for General Secretary, Mr. Afam Okeke emerged winner with 8,478 votes.

All newly elected officers will serve a two-year term, from 2026 to 2028.

Badejo-Okusanya was absent when the results were announced at NBA headquarters in Abuja. A member of her campaign team, Mr. Aminu Gadanya, explained that she had been delayed by a flight, and conveyed her resolve to extend a “handshake of friendship” to all the aggrieved candidates.

In his remarks, outgoing NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, noted that the election had faced several challenges, including a cyberattack that nearly derailed the process. He urged the winners to be magnanimous in victory and to celebrate with restraint.

“This is a trying time for the Bar. Many persons may still go to great lengths to rubbish the association. However, this is a time for healing. At the end of the day, let the Bar be the winner,” Osigwe said.