Adedimeji hails 2026 NBA poll, says it reflects national rebirth

Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lawyers in the Media Forum, Adam Adedimeji, has described the outcome of the association’s 2026 biennial election as a positive sign of national renewal.

Adedimeji made the remark in a congratulatory message to the NBA President-elect, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN.

Badejo-Okusanya emerged winner of the 24-hour electronic election concluded last Sunday and is expected to succeed the outgoing NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, when his tenure expires in September.

According to Adedimeji, Badejo-Okusanya’s emergence offers hope not only for the legal profession but also for Nigeria’s democratic development.

He said her election as the first woman to be elected president of the NBA demonstrated that professional competence and character could prevail over gender considerations.

“Getting elected in a contest involving men of equally high standing in the legal profession shows that the culture of condescending treatment of women is gradually giving way,” he said.

Adedimeji added that Badejo-Okusanya was elected on merit rather than through any quota or affirmative action arrangement.

According to him, her emergence also validates the NBA’s zoning and rotational arrangement, which produced the president-elect from the Western Bar.

He described the development as evidence that competent leaders could emerge from every part of the country.

Adedimeji further noted that Badejo-Okusanya, who was called to the Bar in the 21st century, is the first lawyer of that generation to be elected NBA president.

He also commended her campaign theme, “Bold Bar That Works for Everyone,” describing it as timely in view of the country’s current governance and nation-building challenges.

“The Nigerian legal profession needs to demonstrate courage at all times in promoting justice, accountability and the rule of law,” he said.

Adedimeji also pledged the support of the Lawyers in the Media Forum for the incoming NBA leadership.

He said the media and the legal profession occupy strategic positions in society and should work together to deepen the rule of law, promote accountability and advance the interests of ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, a courageous and independent Bar would strengthen the media’s ability to hold public office holders accountable and promote reforms that benefit the underprivileged.

Badejo-Okusanya was elected NBA president in the association’s 2026 national election and will become the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association upon assuming office in September.

She is also the first woman to be elected to lead the association since its establishment.