The 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential election has triggered significant debate following the victory of Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN. As the only woman in the race, she secured 12,317 votes, or 47.18 percent, to become the first female president since 1992 and only the second in the association’s history. She is set for inauguration on August 21, 2026.
Her opponents, Mr. Lateef Akangbe, SAN, and Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, rejected the outcome, citing concerns over the electronic voting process. Akangbe alleged that the system malfunctioned and failed to display all candidate photos, while Akinboro claimed the outgoing president, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, exerted undue influence over the electoral committee. Despite these accusations, other legal professionals, such as Deji Adeyanju, praised the process for its speed and security.
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, defended the integrity of the committee, noting that the organization successfully repelled a cyberattack during the voting period. He emphasized the need for a post-election review to strengthen future data protection. Allegations of fraud have historically shadowed NBA elections, with previous candidates like Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, also disputing past results without successful judicial outcomes.
In response to the current unrest, Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya has pledged to prioritize electoral reforms to address recurring perceptions of bias. Despite her efforts to unite the association, legal challenges remain, including a Federal High Court suit seeking to halt her swearing-in and ongoing disputes regarding regional representation.
