President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN) on her historic election as the first elected female President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), describing her emergence as a landmark achievement for the legal profession and a victory for merit, excellence and gender inclusion.
In a statement, the President said Badejo-Okusanya’s election marked a watershed moment in the history of the NBA, noting that her distinguished legal career, characterised by integrity, professionalism and unwavering commitment to justice, earned her the confidence of lawyers across the country.
Tinubu said her emergence underscored the growing recognition of the critical role women play in nation-building and the administration of justice, expressing confidence that her leadership would strengthen the legal profession by upholding the rule of law and championing reforms aimed at improving access to justice for all Nigerians.
The President urged the NBA President-elect to work closely with all stakeholders to advance judicial reforms, safeguard the sanctity of the Constitution and sustain the legal profession’s role as a key pillar of Nigeria’s democratic system.
He also called on Badejo-Okusanya to foster unity within the association by reaching out to her fellow contestants and addressing issues that arose during the election.
“I extend my hearty congratulations to the President-elect of the NBA for her victory. As the first elected female president of the Association of Lawyers in Nigeria, Mrs Badejo-Okusanya has made history,” Tinubu said.
“He has once again shown that our women can attain any heights in pursuit of excellence in their careers and ambitions, both in the private sector and in public service.
“I urge you to reach out to the other contestants, unify the Bar and make efforts to correct issues that arose during your election.
“I wish you a successful tenure and service to the legal profession and our country at large.”
The President further assured the incoming NBA President of his administration’s readiness to continue working with the association to deepen democratic governance, promote justice and build a more prosperous and united Nigeria.
