Newly inaugurated Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has pledged to use her two-year tenure to strengthen the legal profession, improve lawyers’ welfare and make the association more responsive to its members.
Badejo-Okusanya assumed office as the 33rd president of the NBA at an inauguration ceremony in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following the handover by her predecessor, Afam Osigwe, SAN.
In her inaugural address, the new NBA president said she viewed the position as a responsibility rather than a personal achievement. She called for unity among members, regardless of their choices during the 2026 election.
“I will be President not only of those who voted for me but of every member of the Nigerian Bar Association,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya said her administration would work toward leaving the association in a stronger position at the end of its tenure.
“There is only one Bar, one profession, and one shared responsibility to leave the Bar stronger than we met it,” she added.
Lawyers’ welfare is expected to be a major focus of the administration. Badejo-Okusanya said the NBA would push for better remuneration for legal practitioners and engage relevant authorities on implementation of the Legal Practitioners Remuneration Order.
She also announced plans to improve access to electronic law reports, modernise the NBA secretariat and expand the use of technology in membership services.
The NBA president further identified artificial intelligence, data protection, digital commerce, energy transition and cross-border legal practice as areas where lawyers need stronger professional preparation.
Her election was historic, making her the first woman directly elected by NBA members to lead the association. She became only the second woman to serve as NBA president after Priscilla Kuye, who held the position from 1991 to 1992.
Badejo-Okusanya has also promised to promote greater professional opportunities for young lawyers and strengthen the NBA’s role in defending the rule of law.
As her administration begins, attention will now turn to how effectively she translates her campaign promises into reforms capable of improving the experience of lawyers and strengthening the Nigerian legal profession.
