AWLA hails Badejo-Okusanya’s election as NBA president
July 24, 2026 2:18 am
NBA President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya. Credit: X | Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya
The African Women Lawyers Association has described the election of Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN) as President of the Nigerian Bar Association as a landmark for gender inclusion in the legal profession, urging sustained efforts to promote women into leadership positions.
In a goodwill message issued on Thursday by its Enugu State Coordinator, Chidi Obeke, the association congratulated the NBA on conducting a successful national election and hailed the emergence of women in six of the association’s 10 elective national offices.
AWLA said the outcome marked a significant shift in the leadership landscape of the legal profession, particularly with the election of Badejo-Okusanya as the 33rd President of the NBA.
The association noted that Badejo-Okusanya, the NBA President-elect, is a life member of AWLA.
According to the group, the emergence of six women into national leadership positions reflected growing confidence in the ability of women to provide effective leadership and contribute to the advancement of the legal profession and the administration of justice.
Obeke said, “The outcome of this election reflects the growing recognition that women possess the competence, vision, integrity and leadership capacity required to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the legal profession and the administration of justice in Nigeria.”
She said the development aligned with global efforts to promote gender equality and inclusive governance, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
AWLA noted that women had historically been underrepresented in leadership positions despite their contributions to the legal profession, adding that the latest NBA election demonstrated that merit and inclusion could coexist.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to mentoring young female lawyers, promoting equal opportunities and supporting initiatives that encourage inclusive leadership within the NBA and the wider legal community.
It also encouraged more women to seek leadership positions while urging members of the Bar to continue assessing candidates based on competence, character and capacity rather than gender.
AWLA congratulated Badejo-Okusanya, the five other women elected into national offices and all successful candidates, expressing confidence that the new leadership would advance the ideals of the Nigerian Bar Association.
The association expressed hope that the outcome of the election would inspire greater female participation in leadership across the legal profession and other sectors of national development.
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