Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya inaugurated as 33rd NBA President

Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has been inaugurated as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Succeeding Afam Osigwe, SAN, she becomes the second woman to lead the association and the first to win the presidency through an election.

During her inaugural address at the 66th NBA Annual General Conference, Badejo-Okusanya pledged to discipline lawyers who use abusive language on social media, stating that such conduct would be subject to public proceedings. She also vowed to defend judicial independence while addressing systemic issues such as corruption, conflicting judgments, and court delays.

The transition follows the dismissal of all petitions challenging the July 2026 election results. The conference also highlighted concerns regarding the rising cost of NBA presidential campaigns, with some members suggesting costs could reach ₦1 billion. Additionally, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) urged the NBA to advocate for legal reforms that extend social security and workplace protections to informal and gig economy workers.