Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya and her journey to the top of the Nigerian Bar

By Firdaus Jibril

Her election as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association is more than a personal achievement. It is a landmark moment for the legal profession and an inspiration to women who aspire to lead.

For many years, the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was seen as a position that only a few could attain. In July 2026, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, changed that narrative by becoming the first woman to be elected President of the association through a nationwide vote of its members. Her emergence also makes her the second woman to lead the NBA, marking an important moment in the history of Nigeria’s legal profession.

Her journey to the top was built over many years of learning, hard work, and service. Interestingly, law was not her first course of study. She earned a degree in English from the University of Lagos before deciding to pursue a career in law. She later returned to the same university for her law degree, attended the Nigerian Law School, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002.

Determined to deepen her knowledge, Badejo-Okusanya obtained a Master of Laws in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary University of London. She also became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom), strengthening her expertise in dispute resolution and arbitration.

Her legal career began at one of Nigeria’s leading commercial law firms, where she gained experience in litigation and corporate practice. Over the years, she built a reputation for professionalism and excellence. She later became a founding partner at Africa Law Practice NG & Co., where she has continued to handle complex legal matters and mentor younger lawyers.

Beyond private practice, Badejo-Okusanya has contributed significantly to public service. She worked on justice sector reform in Lagos State while remaining actively involved in the affairs of the Nigerian Bar Association. Her years of service within the association, coupled with her extensive experience in legal practice, earned her the confidence of lawyers across the country.
In recognition of her contributions to the legal profession, she was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2025, one of the highest honors a lawyer can attain in the country.

Her election as NBA President is significant because it represents another major step forward for women in leadership. While women have continued to make remarkable contributions to law, business, and public service, they remain underrepresented in many executive positions. Badejo-Okusanya’s victory demonstrates that competence, consistency, and dedicated service can open doors that once seemed out of reach.

Following her election, she pledged to work toward improving the welfare of lawyers, strengthening the association, and promoting unity within the profession. She also expressed her commitment to defending the rule of law and ensuring that the NBA remains a strong, unyielding voice for justice in Nigeria.

For many young women, her story carries a powerful lesson: success does not always come from following a straight path. Sometimes it requires the courage to change direction, the willingness to keep learning, and the determination to keep moving forward despite obstacles.

As she begins her tenure as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association, many will be watching to see how she delivers on her promises. Regardless of what lies ahead, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya has already secured her place in history, proving that determination, excellence, and service can inspire lasting change.