Oyinkansola Badejo Says She Is Building A Bold Bar

The recently elected Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya SAN, FCIArb (UK), emerged as the 33rd President-elect, having amassed 12,317 votes, 47.18% of the total votes. It is no surprise that Mrs B Bold  now ranks as the first directly elected female president of the Nigerian Bar Association, she was born into a family of firsts. Her father, Late Olufolabi Olumide, was a general surgeon who became the first vice-chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU) in 1983. Likewise, her mother, Clara Folasade Olumide, worked as a university administrator before becoming the first female registrar of the University of  Lagos (UNILAG) in 2002. 

This background solidifies her electoral campaign, tagged the ‘BBold Movement,’ as she represents the  idea that young lawyers must be granted opportunities to contribute to the trajectory of the profession nationwide. She clearly enunciates a position to develop mentorship programmes to this effect, and to widen access to leadership opportunities for young lawyers. She has also promised to advocate for equity and inclusion in the profession through paid maternity leaves, nursing support in workplaces, disability-inclusive standards, among others. 

While these assurances provide much to look forward to, the new office presents several challenges that have already begun rearing their head. After the announcement of the election results, Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya continues to face challenges around the legitimacy of her position. Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe (SAN), who placed second in the elections, has called the process a shame to the Bar. He pointed to issues such as an unreliable voting structure and technical difficulties, alleging that these undermine the credibility of the process. 

He also faulted the decision of the ECNBA to move the election from the original date, July 20, to July 18 without approval from the National Executives Council. He disclosed that he has begun compiling evidence from affected voters and is actively considering legal options. Amid the growing dissatisfaction with the election results, Mrs Badejo-Okusanya has, upon winning the election, expressed willingness to begin service, and to help lawyers live better, earn better, and practise better. 

With factions developing in the association, it is necessary that the President-elect applies her expertise as an arbitrator so as to maintain peace and social cohesion, and dissipate tensions. She is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), the mediator of an accredited Center for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), and has served on the executive committee of the CIArb, Nigerian branch. She joined the management of an Arbitration and Dispute Resolution working group, where she contributed to the reform of Nigeria’s Arbitration and Mediation Act, 2023. 

Her arbitration experience extends to the London Court of International Arbitration, the African Arbitration Association, and the International Council for Commercial Arbitration. In view of these controversies, Mrs Badejo-Okusanya thought it best to present her part of the story clearly and publicly, beckoning on people to hear from the horse’s mouth instead of spreading napkin revelations.

Again, the President-elect has to battle distrust from professionals who have endured the promises of previous administrations but are yet to receive the implementation of these promises. Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya must create systems that directly translate these objectives into palpable realities, gaining the confidence of the legal professionals. Over the years, concern has developed about the independence of the Nigerian judiciary, and the influence the current administration has on judicial processes. Considering her appointment as General Counsel to the governor of Lagos State from 2011-2015, Mrs Badejo-Okusanya is not new to major leadership positions and can boast of having played on both sides of this coin: government and judiciary. On this note, she must draw a clear line between government collaboration and the judiciary’s role as a check on the government. 

The underlying message of a bold bar is one that does not cower; under her leadership, she must ensure that the judiciary regains the trust of the public by not bending to the dictates of the executive . She must also utilize the experience gained from this position to bring necessary legislation into effect and transform the working conditions of legal professionals and advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equity. Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya represents the changing trends in the politics of Nigeria as women begin to ascend career ladders and hold their own in formerly male-dominated offices. Within her profession, she holds a responsibility to underrepresented regions and minority groups. The President-elect has confirmed that she is building a bold bar characterized by integrity, courage, humility, and accountability and the public awaits the realization of this goal.