The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has elected Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, as its 33rd President, making history as only the second woman to lead the association after Priscilla Kuye.
A distinguished legal practitioner with over two decades of experience, Badejo-Okusanya has built a reputation in litigation, arbitration, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Her expertise spans both domestic and international commercial disputes, where she has represented private organisations, government institutions, and multinational clients before trial and appellate courts.
Born with a passion for learning, she first earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in English from the University of Lagos between 1983 and 1987. She later pursued a career in law at the same institution, obtaining a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree in 2000 before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School, where she qualified as a Barrister-at-Law (B.L.) in 2002.
Beyond private legal practice, Badejo-Okusanya has made significant contributions to public service. Between 2007 and 2011, she served as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on Justice Sector Reform and Policy. She later became General Counsel to the Governor from 2011 to 2015, playing key roles in justice sector reforms, arbitration legislation, consumer protection initiatives, and public-private partnership policies.
In May 2017, she became a partner at ALP NG & Co., where she has continued to specialise in litigation, arbitration, mediation, public policy, regulatory compliance, and government relations. She is widely recognised as an authority in dispute resolution and has handled several high-profile arbitration matters.
An accredited mediator of the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), Badejo-Okusanya has held leadership positions in several professional organisations. She previously served on the Executive Committee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Nigeria Branch, and currently sits on the Board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration. She is also a member of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), ArbitralWomen, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the International Bar Association.
Following the conclusion of the NBA’s 2026 electronic election, Badejo-Okusanya secured 12,317 votes to defeat her closest challengers, Lateef Akangbe, SAN, and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN. Her victory marks a significant milestone in the history of the legal profession in Nigeria as she prepares to serve a two-year term as NBA President from 2026 to 2028.
As she assumes office, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya is expected to lead Nigeria’s foremost legal body with a wealth of experience in advocacy, justice sector reforms, arbitration, and professional leadership, while inspiring more women to aspire to leadership positions within the legal profession.
