RismadarVoice Reporters
September 1, 2026
The House of Representatives has described the emergence of Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) as a historic milestone for women in the legal profession and a significant development for the administration of justice in Nigeria.
The House, in a congratulatory statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., said Badejo-Okusanya’s election as the first woman to lead the NBA in 35 years represents an advancement in women’s leadership within the legal profession.
It also noted that six of the 10 members of the new NBA National Executive are women, describing the development as evidence of growing female representation in the leadership of the Bar.
The House said Badejo-Okusanya’s experience as an arbitrator and public policy professional, coupled with her involvement in legislative engagement through the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER), would be valuable to the Association as it engages stakeholders on legal and institutional reforms.
According to the House, her vision of a “bolder, inclusive, innovative and respected Bar” aligns with the need for a stronger legal profession capable of contributing meaningfully to justice, democracy and the rule of law.
Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Rep. Mamudu Abdullahi, and his counterpart on the House Committee on Justice, Rep. Olumide Osoba, separately congratulated Badejo-Okusanya and expressed confidence in her ability to provide effective leadership for the NBA.
The House said it was particularly encouraged by the new NBA President’s commitment to constructive engagement with government, civil society, development partners and the private sector while maintaining the Association’s commitment to its core principles.
It pledged to deepen collaboration with the NBA in advancing legal and institutional reforms under Agenda 3 on Law Reform of the 10th Assembly’s Legislative Agenda, led by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
The lawmakers also acknowledged the contributions of the immediate past NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and his National Executive Council during their two-year tenure.
The House congratulated Badejo-Okusanya and the newly elected NBA national officers and representatives, wishing them an impactful tenure in strengthening the legal profession and justice system.
