Leadership milestones often do more than make headlines. They open doors, challenge long-standing norms and inspire others to pursue positions they once thought were out of reach. That is exactly what Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya has done after emerging as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria made history after winning the association’s electronic election, becoming the first woman to be elected to the office through a competitive vote and only the second woman to lead the NBA in its history.
Here are five things worth knowing about the woman set to lead one of Nigeria’s most influential professional bodies.
1. She Made History With Her Election
Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya secured 12,317 votes in the NBA presidential election held between July 18 and 19, defeating two fellow Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
Her victory marks an important milestone for Nigeria’s legal profession. While Dame Priscilla Kuye previously became NBA president between 1991 and 1992 through constitutional succession, Badejo-Okusanya is the first woman to earn the position through a direct election by members of the association.
She will officially assume office on August 21, succeeding Afam Osigwe as the association’s 33rd president.
Read: Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya Makes History as NBA’s 33rd President
2. She Didn’t Start Out Studying Law
One of the most interesting parts of Badejo-Okusanya’s story is that her academic journey did not begin in law.
She first earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Lagos before later returning to the same institution to study law. She subsequently obtained her LL.B., attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002.
Determined to strengthen her expertise, she also earned a Master of Laws in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary University of London. Her professional excellence was recognised in 2025 when she was elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
3. She Has Built a Career Across Private Practice and Public Service
Badejo-Okusanya began her legal career at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial law firms, where she specialised in litigation and dispute resolution.
In 2017, she became a founding partner at Africa Law Practice NG & Company (ALP NG & Co.), where she co-heads the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice. Her work spans commercial litigation, arbitration, mediation and regulatory compliance.
Beyond private practice, she also served the Lagos State Government for several years. Between 2007 and 2015, she held key positions that focused on justice sector reform, public policy, arbitration legislation and legal advisory services under the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola.
4. She Is Widely Respected in Arbitration
Badejo-Okusanya is recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading arbitration practitioners.
She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and an accredited mediator with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR).
Over the years, she has served on the Executive Committee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria Branch, the Board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration and several committees working on arbitration law reforms and improving Nigeria’s business environment.
She is also affiliated with respected international legal organisations, including the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), the International Bar Association and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association.
5. Excellence Runs in Her Family
Leadership and academic excellence have long been part of Badejo-Okusanya’s background.
She grew up on the University of Lagos campus as the daughter of two distinguished academics. Her late father, Professor Olufolabi Olumide, was a renowned surgeon and the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, while her mother, Clara Folasade Olumide, became the first female Registrar of the University of Lagos.
Growing up in an environment that valued education, public service and leadership helped shape the career that has now placed her at the helm of Nigeria’s largest professional association for lawyers.
Read: Nigerian Professor Makes History as First Black Chair of British Academy of Management
A New Chapter for the Legal Profession
Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya’s election represents more than a personal achievement. It reflects decades of experience across litigation, arbitration, legal reform and public service, while also marking another step towards greater representation in leadership within Nigeria’s legal profession.
As she prepares to assume office, many lawyers will be watching to see how her leadership shapes the future of the Nigerian Bar Association and the wider justice sector.
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