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As the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) gears up for its presidential election on Saturday, July 18, leading candidate Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has reached out directly to her colleagues with a deeply personal and issue-focused letter that underscores her campaign theme of “Members First. Always.”
In the letter, made available to the media, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria reflects on months of nationwide engagement with lawyers across different sectors and calls for a renewed commitment to building a more responsive, inclusive, and independent Bar.
“My Dear Learned Colleagues,” the letter begins, “In a few days’ time, each of us will cast a vote. Not just for a candidate, but for the kind of Bar we want to build together, and leave to those coming after us.”
Badejo-Okusanya highlighted the diverse voices she encountered during her campaign, from young lawyers struggling to build sustainable careers to senior practitioners disillusioned about the profession’s future, Law Officers, public sector lawyers, in-house counsel, and lawyers with disabilities demanding greater inclusion.
She centred her message on a fundamental question many members have asked: “What does the NBA do for me?” – a concern she pledged to address through practical, achievable solutions aimed at helping lawyers “earn better, live better and practise better.”
The candidate emphasised her commitment to issue-based campaigning and respect for opponents.
“I have treated every opponent with respect; I have chosen to focus on issues rather than personalities, and on ideas rather than division,” she stated.
On the controversies surrounding the electoral process in recent weeks, Badejo-Okusanya maintained a firm and consistent position: “The NBA belongs to all its members, and the NBA Constitution must govern our affairs. Every constitutionally qualified lawyer deserves the right to vote and freely choose the leadership of our Association.”
She described the warmth and support received from colleagues across the country as “one of the greatest honours of my professional life,” expressing gratitude for the encouragement, prayers, and goodwill extended to her regardless of the election’s outcome.
In her closing appeal, the presidential hopeful asked members to vote with the future of the profession in mind:
“If you believe the NBA should create real value for its members; If you believe every lawyer deserves to be heard, respected and included; If you believe our Bar must remain independent, courageous, compassionate and firmly guided by its Constitution. Then I humbly ask for your vote.”
Badejo-Okusanya, who is seeking to become the 33rd President of the NBA, signed off with the declaration: “The Bar is my constituency. It always has been, and it always will be.”
The letter has been widely circulated among NBA members as voting day approaches, positioning Badejo-Okusanya’s candidacy around themes of member welfare, constitutionalism, inclusion, and professional development.
Polling for the NBA national elections is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026.
The letter reads, “My Dear Learned Colleagues,
“In a few days’ time, each of us will cast a vote. Not just for a candidate, but for the kind of Bar we want to build together, and leave to those coming after us.
“Over the past several months, I have travelled across our country. I have listened as much as I have spoken. I have heard the concerns of young lawyers struggling to build meaningful careers; of senior practitioners getting increasingly disillusioned about the future of our profession; of Law Officers and public sector lawyers seeking greater support and recognition; of in-house counsel; of lawyers with disability demanding inclusion; and of colleagues asking a simple question:
“What does the NBA do for me?”
“That simple question, which no member of our Association should ever have to ask again, has guided every step of my campaign.
“And this is why I have focused on practical, achievable solutions that will help lawyers earn better, live better and practise better. It is why I have placed MEMBERS FIRST. And it is why I have made only promises I genuinely believe the NBA can deliver. I have treated every opponent with respect; I have chosen to focus on issues rather than personalities, and on ideas rather than division.
“In recent weeks, much attention has understandably been devoted to issues concerning our electoral process. Throughout this period, my position has remained consistent and unwavering: The NBA belongs to all its members, and the NBA Constitution must govern our affairs. Every constitutionally qualified lawyer deserves the right to vote and freely choose the leadership of our Association. This is not merely an electoral principle; it is a defining value of the independent Bar we all cherish. I have defended this principle from the beginning, and I will continue to defend it.
“The opportunity to experience the warmth and kindness I have received from colleagues across Nigeria has been one of the greatest honours of my professional life. Whatever the outcome of this election, I am very grateful for the support, encouragement, prayers and goodwill that so many of you have extended to me throughout this journey. Your belief has strengthened me, inspired me and reaffirmed my faith in a profession that has given me so much.
“As you cast your vote this Saturday, I respectfully ask you to consider the future we can build together.
“If you believe the NBA should create real value for its members;
“If you believe every lawyer deserves to be heard, respected and included;
“If you believe our Bar must remain independent, courageous, compassionate and firmly guided by its Constitution.
“Then I humbly ask for your vote.
“Together, let us build a BOLDER Bar that creates lasting value for every lawyer and helps us all Earn Better, Live Better and Practise Better. Together, let us move From Surviving to Thriving.
“Thank you for your trust.
“Thank you for your encouragement.
“And thank you for the privilege of seeking to serve as your 33rd President.
“The Bar is my constituency. It always has been, and it always will be.
“Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, FCIArb
“Candidate for President, Nigerian Bar Association.
