Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, was on Friday sworn in as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), succeeding Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, in a ceremony held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In her inaugural address, Badejo-Okusanya declared that her administration would prioritise the economic welfare of lawyers, uphold professional dignity, promote inclusion and strengthen the association’s institutional voice. “Members first, always. We will build a bolder bar that works for everyone,” she said.
The new president, who attended her first NBA Annual General Conference in August 2002 as a newly called lawyer, described her election as a trust rather than a prize. She noted the historical significance of the Port Harcourt venue, recalling that 35 years earlier a crisis in the city had led to a truncated electoral process and the proscription of the association.
Badejo-Okusanya becomes only the second woman to lead the NBA, after Dame Priscilla Kuye. “It has taken 35 years, but history is not made merely when a barrier falls. History is made when those who pass through the opening widen it for others,” she stated, adding that she sought office “not simply to make history” but “to make a difference.”
She emphasised the need to confront the harsh economic realities facing lawyers, particularly young practitioners and those in small firms. “A lawyer who is economically vulnerable is not truly professionally free,” she said. “Economic dignity is not separate from professional dignity. It is essential to it.”
Key initiatives outlined include a sustained framework for fair remuneration, improved access to jobs and mentorship, greater technology adoption, financing support and expansion into emerging areas of practice. She also announced plans to subsidise access to electronic law reports and to reintroduce the NBA affinity card, which would offer negotiated discounts on airlines, hotels, supermarkets, pharmacies and other essential services.
On professional standards, Badejo-Okusanya warned of “scant tolerance” for misconduct, especially abusive exchanges among lawyers on social media. She stressed that lawyers must maintain the dignity of the profession even amid political disagreements, and that the NBA would take decisive action against conduct that undermines public confidence.
She further pledged to modernise the NBA secretariat through technology to streamline membership services, payments, practising stamps, continuing professional development and access to benefits. A transparent portal would be created to allow members to indicate areas of interest and offer themselves for appointments, ensuring broader participation.
Extending an olive branch to former opponents, she declared: “I will be president not only of those who voted for me, but of every member of the Nigerian Bar Association.” Her central goal, she said, is to move lawyers “from surviving to thriving.”
In his valedictory remarks, outgoing president Osigwe urged members to support the new leadership regardless of their electoral preferences. “A leader has emerged. You may not have supported her, but by winning, all of us are her supporters,” he said.
Osigwe described his tenure as “an honour of a lifetime” and noted that the association had navigated attempts to destabilise its leadership and completed the 2026 transition despite court injunctions. He praised Badejo-Okusanya as a competent and prepared leader, stressing that her election was based on merit rather than tokenism. He called for constructive criticism and warned that the next two years would be demanding.
A story of courage, wonder, and the transformative power of self-belief; perfect for readers aged 10+ who love adventure. To place order: +234 806 130 3237 | +234 803 582 0870 OR Tap the link to grab a copy:https://www.zeekapublish.com/product/the-magical-life-of-anna
