Ezekwesili Endorses Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya For NBA Presidency

Former Minister of Education and Founder of Fix Politics Nigeria, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has endorsed Senior Advocate of Nigeria Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya for the presidency of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Punch reported that Ezekwesili’s endorsement was announced in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, describing Badejo-Okusanya as a competent and principled leader with the vision required to reposition the legal profession.

Daily Trust reported that in a post on her verified X handle, Ezekwesili praised Badejo-Okusanya’s credentials and vision for the Bar.

She highlighted the candidate’s extensive experience, competence, and courage, noting that her consistent advocacy for professional ethics, arbitration, governance, and improved welfare for young lawyers aligns with the pressing needs of the legal profession.

If elected, Badejo-Okusanya would make history as the first female President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Daily Trust reported that Badejo-Okusanya was born on January 15, 1967, and attended the University of Lagos Staff School before proceeding to Federal Government College, Jos, for her secondary education. She earned a B.A. (Hons) in English from the University of Lagos in 1987 and obtained a Law degree from the same institution in 2000. She was called to the Nigerian Bar on May 14, 2002.

Daily Trust also reported that in July 2011, she was appointed General Counsel to the Governor of Lagos State, where she played a key part in developing the landmark Lagos State Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS) under the Fashola administration. Badejo-Okusanya returned to private legal practice in June 2015 and was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2025.

Punch also reported that Ezekwesili’s endorsement adds to a growing list of prominent Nigerians backing Badejo-Okusanya ahead of the association’s presidential election.

Sources: Punch; Daily Trust