Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kemi Pinheiro, has called on the President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), to make restoring unity within the association a top priority as she prepares to assume office.
Pinheiro made the appeal in a congratulatory message after Badejo-Okusanya made history by becoming the first woman to be directly elected by NBA members as the association’s president.
He praised the president-elect for her outstanding leadership qualities, describing her as a legal professional known for excellence, courage, and inclusiveness. He also expressed confidence in her ability to lead Africa’s largest legal association successfully.
While celebrating her electoral victory, Pinheiro noted that the NBA is currently grappling with internal divisions that require urgent attention. He stressed that mending these differences should be central to her administration.
According to him, the association is divided along generational, ideological, and personal lines, making reconciliation essential for its growth and effectiveness.
Pinheiro said rebuilding trust among members would strengthen the NBA and improve its capacity to fulfil its constitutional and professional responsibilities.
He further argued that unity within the legal body extends beyond internal administration, insisting that a united NBA is better positioned to defend the rule of law, protect the interests of legal practitioners, and provide credible leadership on national issues.
He warned that a divided association would struggle to effectively champion justice, accountability, and good governance.
Badejo-Okusanya’s election marks a historic achievement for the Nigerian Bar Association. Although Dame Priscilla Kuye served as NBA president in 1991 after succeeding from the office of vice president following her predecessor’s resignation, Badejo-Okusanya is the first woman to win the association’s presidency through a direct election conducted by its members.
Her emergence has been widely celebrated as a landmark moment for Nigeria’s legal profession.