Ezekwesili backs Badejo-Okusanya for NBA president
June 28, 2026 6:45 pm
Former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili
A former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has endorsed Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, for the presidency of the Nigerian Bar Association, describing her as a competent and principled leader with the vision required to reposition the legal profession.
Ezekwesili’s endorsement, announced in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, adds to the growing list of prominent Nigerians backing Badejo-Okusanya ahead of the association’s presidential election.
The former minister praised the senior lawyer’s professional pedigree, leadership qualities and long-standing commitment to ethical legal practice, arbitration, good governance and the welfare of young lawyers.
“I am delighted to see that the brilliant and amazing Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, is running for NBA President,” Ezekwesili wrote.
She highlighted the candidate’s extensive experience, competence and courage, noting that her consistent advocacy for professional ethics, arbitration, governance and improved welfare for young lawyers aligns with the pressing needs of the legal profession.
“Her engagements frequently focus on professional ethics, arbitration, governance, and improving conditions for young lawyers. These are the ideals the Bar needs at this moment, and she rightly represents them”, Ezekwesili added.
The endorsement comes barely a week after the Founder and Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, Paul Adefarasin, also declared his support for Badejo-Okusanya’s candidacy.
Adefarasin described the legal practitioner as a woman of proven integrity, professionalism and commitment to national development.
He said, “My family and I have had the privilege of knowing her and her family over many years, and we have consistently seen a life marked by excellence, professionalism, and a deep concern for the advancement of our nation.
“She understands that justice is not merely a legal principle; it is one of the pillars upon which peace, progress, and nation-building rest.
“As the Nigerian Bar Association prepares to elect its next President, I believe it is important to pay attention not only to credentials and accomplishments, but also to character. In Mrs Badejo-Okusanya, many have seen both.”
Badejo-Okusanya, born on January 15, 1967, is a legal practitioner and scholar with decades of experience in public service and private legal practice.
She attended the University of Lagos Staff School for her primary education before proceeding to Federal Government College, Jos, for her secondary education.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Lagos in 1987 and later obtained a law degree from the same institution in 2000.
She was called to the Nigerian Bar on May 14, 2002.
In July 2011, she was appointed General Counsel to the Governor of Lagos State, where she played a key role in developing the Lagos State Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS) during the administration of former governor Babatunde Fashola.
She returned to private legal practice in June 2015 and has remained active in the profession.
In September 2025, she was elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, one of the highest honours in the country’s legal profession.
If elected, Badejo-Okusanya would become the first woman to lead the Nigerian Bar Association since its establishment, marking a historic milestone for the legal profession.
Her emergence would also continue a family legacy of breaking barriers, as her mother retired as the first female Registrar of the University of Lagos.
The PUNCH journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties
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