Badejo-Okusanya Takes Helm of NBA, Vows to End Lawyers’ Economic Struggles
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN) has assumed office as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), declaring that her administration will prioritise the economic
Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN) has become the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), pledging to focus on improving the economic situation for lawyers, promoting professional dignity, and strengthening the legal profession's voice. She was inaugurated in Port Harcourt, marking the transfer of leadership from the previous president, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN).
Badejo-Okusanya emphasized that her presidency is not a prize but a trust, aiming to create a "bolder bar that works for everyone." As a lawyer since her first NBA Annual General Conference in 2002, she was thrilled to return to the role after 24 years. Badejo-Okusanya is the second woman to hold the NBA presidency, following Dame Priscilla Kuye, after overcoming a crisis that led to a truncated election and the dissolution of the association 35 years ago.
The new president vowed not to let her gender define her administration, stating that she sought the position to make a difference rather than just make history. Badejo-Okusanya highlighted the economic struggles faced by lawyers, particularly young practitioners and those in small firms, stressing that economic dignity is intertwined with professional dignity.
She announced plans to subsidize access to electronic law reports, reintroduce the NBA affinity card for discounts on various services, and modernize the NBA secretariat using technology. This will make membership services, payments, practising stamps, continuing professional development, and benefits more accessible and transparent.
Badejo-Okusanya also pledged to create a transparent portal for lawyers to indicate their areas of expertise and volunteer for appointments, ensuring that service opportunities reflect the association's diverse talent pool.
On professional conduct, she warned of "scant tolerance" for misconduct, particularly abusive exchanges on social media. Badejo-Okusanya urged lawyers to maintain the profession's dignity, even during political disagreements, and stressed that the NBA will act decisively against actions that could tarnish the public's trust in the legal profession. She also promised to modernize the NBA and deploy technology to enhance service delivery transparency.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
