The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has congratulated Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN) on her emergence as the first directly elected female President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Sulaiman-Ibrahim described the election as a historic milestone for Nigeria’s legal profession and democratic development.
She said Badejo-Okusanya’s emergence through the direct mandate of NBA members reflected competence, integrity, excellence and visionary leadership.
According to the minister, the election demonstrates Nigeria’s progress towards a more inclusive society where merit, talent and capacity determine leadership.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that Dame Priscilla Kuye became the NBA’s first female president in 1991 through constitutional succession, while Badejo-Okusanya is the first woman to be directly elected by members of the association.
She said the achievement aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to expand opportunities, strengthen inclusion and ensure that every Nigerian can contribute meaningfully to national development.
The minister noted that women now head key justice institutions, including the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Nigerian Law School, the Solicitor-General’s Office and the NBA.
According to her, the development represents significant progress in women’s participation in leadership and the justice sector.
She said women’s leadership strengthens institutions, enhances accountability, deepens democracy and promotes access to justice for all Nigerians.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that Badejo-Okusanya’s election reinforces ongoing advocacy for greater female representation in governance, including support for the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill.
She expressed confidence that the new NBA president would uphold the rule of law, defend constitutional democracy, promote justice and protect the rights of vulnerable groups.
The minister congratulated Badejo-Okusanya and expressed optimism that her tenure would advance inclusive leadership, institutional excellence and lasting progress within the legal profession.
