By Ayo Ayodele
The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has announced the full results of the 2026 national elections, confirming the emergence of a new national executive to lead the association for the next two years.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, was declared the 33rd President of the NBA after polling 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the votes cast.
She defeated two other senior lawyers, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, who secured 7,934 votes (30.39 per cent), and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, who garnered 5,855 votes (22.43 per cent).
Chairman of the ECNBA, Aham Ejelam, SAN, announced the results at the NBA National Secretariat in Abuja on Sunday, following the conclusion of the electronic voting exercise.
With her victory, Badejo-Okusanya will serve as the association’s president from 2026 to 2028, becoming only the second woman to occupy the office after Priscilla Kuye, who led the NBA between 1991 and 1992.
The election recorded a turnout of 26,184 voters out of the association’s 82,172 registered members, representing 31.86 per cent participation.
In the race for First Vice-President, Chief Oghenero Okoro emerged victorious with 11,024 votes, defeating Luqman Adekunle Laoye, who polled 7,044 votes, and Obajaja Onimisi Stephen, who secured 6,511 votes.
Egya Nuhu John and Pepple Iniobong Irene were returned unopposed as Second Vice-President and Third Vice-President, respectively.
Afam O. Okeke won the keenly contested position of General Secretary with 8,478 votes, ahead of five other contestants, while Aghogho Gladys Okpomor was elected Assistant General Secretary with 14,312 votes.
Esther Ifeoma Jimoh was returned unopposed as Treasurer, while Audrey Chinelo Ofoegbunam emerged Welfare Secretary after polling 14,911 votes to defeat four other candidates.
For the office of Publicity Secretary, Dr Prince I. Azubuike defeated Lawrence Shegun Ayewa with 14,686 votes against 9,021 votes.
Hadiza Nasir Ahmad secured the position of Assistant Publicity Secretary after polling 10,094 votes, ahead of three other contestants.
In the zonal representative elections, Chidi Betsy Nnaji won the Eastern Zone seat, Rotimi Komolafe emerged as Western Zone Representative with 14,816 votes, while Huwaila Muhammad Ibrahim secured victory as Northern Zone Representative after polling 13,327 votes.
The newly elected officials are expected to assume office alongside the incoming president to steer the affairs of the association during the 2026–2028 administration.
FULL LIST: Winners of 2026 NBA elections
President
Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN – 12,317 votes (47.18%) (Winner)
Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN – 7,934 votes (30.39%)
Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN – 5,855 votes (22.43%)
First Vice-President
Chief Oghenero Okoro – 11,024 votes (44.85%) (Winner)
Luqman Adekunle Laoye – 7,044 votes (28.66%)
Obajaja Onimisi Stephen – 6,511 votes (26.49%)
Second Vice-President
Egya Nuhu John – 18,496 votes (100%) (Unopposed)
Third Vice-President
Pepple Iniobong Irene – 19,200 votes (100%) (Unopposed)
General Secretary
Afam O. Okeke – 8,478 votes (33.58%) (Winner)
Dr Rapulu Ernest Nduka – 6,188 votes (24.51%)
Chidi Ezenwafor – 4,560 votes (18.06%)
Okey Leo Ohagba – 4,100 votes (16.24%)
Nnaebuka Onyebuchi Nwaeze – 1,147 votes (4.54%)
Barth Okoye-Aniche – 772 votes (3.06%)
Assistant General Secretary
Aghogho Gladys Okpomor – 14,312 votes (56.76%) (Winner)
Osato Uwagboe – 5,003 votes (19.84%)
Tijjani Magaji – 3,282 votes (13.02%)
Benjamin Emeka Enyiagu – 1,954 votes (7.75%)
Chiduabo Prince Henry Mamah – 663 votes (2.63%)
Treasurer
Esther Ifeoma Jimoh – 21,908 votes (100%) (Unopposed)
Welfare Secretary
Audrey Chinelo Ofoegbunam – 14,911 votes (60.43%) (Winner)
Sir Oaikhena Osagie – 5,187 votes (21.02%)
Akinwunmi Laleye – 2,234 votes (9.05%)
Chiwendu Ugochukwu – 1,202 votes (4.87%)
Ernest Ezindu Uwanaka – 1,140 votes (4.62%)
Publicity Secretary
Dr Prince I. Azubuike – 14,686 votes (61.95%) (Winner)
Lawrence Shegun Ayewa – 9,021 votes (38.05%)
Assistant Publicity Secretary
Hadiza Nasir Ahmad – 10,094 votes (40.83%) (Winner)
Uwomano Anthony Junior Aki – 6,108 votes (24.71%)
Meti Monday Ukpeh – 4,643 votes (18.78%)
Lukman Oladimeji Jaiyeola – 3,877 votes (15.68%)
Eastern Zone Representative
Chidi Betsy Nnaji – 10,497 votes (17.32%)
Daniel Kip – 8,121 votes (13.40%)
Jane Omonor Apollos-James – 8,079 votes (13.33%)
Dr Ehujuo Kingsley Chukwunonso – 7,811 votes (12.89%)
Assam Akpan Assam – 7,610 votes (12.56%)
Dr Celestine Nwaokoma Nwankwo – 7,280 votes (12.01%)
Joy Obianuju Nnani – 6,519 votes (10.76%)
Arinze Celestine Chukwu – 4,675 votes (7.72%)
Western Zone Representative
Rotimi Komolafe – 14,816 votes (43.17%) (Winner)
Precious Ndidi Nwadimuya – 10,031 votes (29.23%)
Dhikrullah Adewale Balogun – 9,476 votes (27.61%)
Northern Zone Representative
Huwaila Muhammad Ibrahim – 13,327 votes (22.91%)
Friday O. Enejor – 10,442 votes (17.95%)
Bulus Y. Atsen – 9,086 votes (15.62%)
Michael O. Olorunmola – 6,840 votes (11.76%)
Kadir Temim – 6,806 votes (11.70%)
Onimisi Friday Umar – 6,741 votes (11.59%)
Ledak D. Dafer – 4,933 votes (8.48%)