The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council has congratulated Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, on her historic election as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), describing her emergence as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s legal profession and women in leadership.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, the Council said Badejo-Okusanya’s election as the first woman democratically elected to lead the NBA demonstrates that competence, resilience, integrity and visionary leadership transcend gender.
The Council noted that the achievement is not only a personal victory for the NBA President-elect but also a triumph for Nigerian women and young professionals who continue to break barriers through merit, hard work and dedication.
According to the statement, the development also resonated with the NUJ FCT Council, where Grace Ike recently became the first female Chairman in the Council’s 43-year history. It described both milestones as evidence of the growing acceptance of inclusive and merit-based leadership across Nigeria’s professional institutions.
“The emergence of two women to lead two of Nigeria’s foremost professional bodies within such a short period is a powerful statement that the nation’s institutions are increasingly embracing competence and excellence above all else. We believe these achievements will inspire a new generation of women to aspire to leadership and contribute meaningfully to national development,” the statement said.
The NUJ FCT also acknowledged the Nigerian Bar Association’s longstanding role in promoting constitutional democracy, the rule of law, human rights and justice, expressing confidence that Badejo-Okusanya’s leadership would strengthen the Association’s legacy, deepen public confidence in the legal profession and advance reforms in the justice sector.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration between the media and the legal profession in promoting democratic governance, accountability, press freedom, human rights and the rule of law.
It wished the NBA President-elect a successful and impactful tenure, expressing optimism that her administration would leave a lasting legacy of transformational leadership, professional excellence and expanded opportunities for future generations of legal practitioners and women leaders.
