The African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Nigeria has congratulated the newly elected leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), describing the emergence of Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, FCIArb, as President-elect and the election of several other women into national offices as a defining moment in the continuing campaign for greater gender inclusion within the legal profession.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Association, AWLA Nigeria President, Mrs. Caroline Ibharuneafe, said the outcome of the 2026 NBA National Elections represents not only a personal victory for the successful candidates but also a significant milestone for women lawyers across Nigeria and the African continent.
She congratulated Badejo-Okusanya on becoming the first woman elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association, noting that the achievement comes 35 years after Dame Priscilla Kuye became the first woman to lead the Association through constitutional succession following the resignation of then NBA President Chief Clement Akpamgbo.
Ibharuneafe also commended the election of other female national officers, describing their victories as evidence that more women are taking their rightful place in the leadership of one of Africa’s largest professional associations.
She specifically congratulated Pepple Iniobong Irene, who was elected Third Vice-President; Gladys Aghogho Okpomor, Treasurer; Esther Ifeoma Jimoh, Welfare Secretary; Audrey Chinelo Ofoegbunam, Assistant Publicity Secretary; Hadiza Nasir Ahmad, Eastern Zone Representative; Chidi Betsy Nnaji, Northern Zone Representative; and Huwaila Muhammad Ibrahim, whose election further strengthened female representation in the Association’s national leadership.
The AWLA President also congratulated the other newly elected national officers, including Afam O. Okeke, who emerged General Secretary, expressing confidence that the incoming administration would work collectively to advance the welfare of legal practitioners, strengthen the independence of the Bar and uphold the rule of law.
According to her, the significance of the election extends beyond the emergence of individual office holders. It demonstrates that competence, leadership and service continue to create opportunities for women within institutions that have historically been dominated by men.
She urged the incoming leadership to build on the confidence reposed in them by members by promoting inclusiveness, transparency and reforms that improve the professional and economic well-being of lawyers across the country.
The Association further expressed hope that the increased number of women occupying strategic positions in the NBA would inspire younger female lawyers to participate more actively in professional leadership and governance while encouraging other institutions within the justice sector to embrace greater gender balance.
The congratulatory message comes against the backdrop of one of the most closely watched NBA elections in recent years. Although the process was overshadowed by litigation, technical disruptions and disagreements over aspects of the electoral process before voting was successfully concluded, the final outcome has nevertheless produced what many observers regard as one of the most gender-inclusive national executives in the Association’s recent history.
For AWLA Nigeria, the message is clear: the growing presence of women in the leadership of the Bar is not merely symbolic. It is an opportunity to strengthen institutional leadership, expand mentorship for younger practitioners and demonstrate that merit and inclusion can advance together in shaping the future of Nigeria’s legal profession.
