Inside the career of NBA’s new president, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has emerged as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), becoming one of the leading voices in Nigeria’s legal profession.

Called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002, Badejo-Okusanya obtained her law degree from the University of Lagos before beginning her legal career at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, one of Nigeria’s foremost commercial law firms. Over the years, she built a reputation as a skilled legal practitioner with expertise in litigation, dispute resolution and public sector law.

Her rise in the legal profession saw her attain the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on September 29, 2025.

The SAN title is regarded as the highest professional distinction for legal practitioners in Nigeria and is awarded to lawyers who have demonstrated excellence, integrity and significant contributions to the development of the law.

Beyond private legal practice, Badejo-Okusanya has also served in public office. In 2007, she was appointed by former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, as a senior aide on Justice Sector Reform.

In that role, she contributed to initiatives aimed at improving the administration of justice and strengthening legal institutions in Lagos State.

She later served as General Counsel to the Lagos State Governor between 2011 and 2015, providing legal advice on government policies, governance matters and public administration.

Currently, Badejo-Okusanya is a partner at ALP NG & Co. (Africa Law Practice NG & Company), where she serves as Co-Head of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice. Her work spans complex commercial disputes, arbitration and strategic legal advisory services.

She is also widely recognised in the international legal community through her memberships in several prominent organisations, including the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), the African Arbitration Association, Arbitral Women, the International Bar Association (IBA), and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA).

With more than two decades of legal experience across private practice, public service and international arbitration, Badejo-Okusanya’s emergence as NBA President marks another significant milestone in a distinguished legal career.