Health
Minister Celebrates NBA’s First Elected Female President
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has congratulated Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN) on becoming the first directly elected female President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
In a statement on Tuesday, Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the election marked a landmark in Nigeria’s legal profession and democratic development.
She said Badejo-Okusanya’s emergence through a 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 directly elected by members.
She said the achievement aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to expand opportunities, strengthen inclusion and ensure every Nigerian contributes meaningfully to national development.
The minister said women now head key justice institutions, including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Nigerian Law School, Solicitor-General’s Office and the NBA.
According to her, the development represents significant progress for women’s participation in leadership and the justice sector.
She said women’s leadership strengthens institutions, enhances accountability, deepens democracy and advances access to justice for all Nigerians.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that Badejo-Okusanya’s election reinforced 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 promote inclusive leadership, institutional excellence and lasting progress in the legal profession.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
