The Nigerian Bar Association has selected Abuja to host its 2027 Annual General Conference, with newly inaugurated President Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, confirming that preparations for the gathering start immediately.
Badejo-Okusanya delivered the announcement during her inaugural address upon assuming office as the 33rd President of the NBA. She noted that details regarding the theme and the membership of the Annual General Conference Planning Committee will be disclosed in due course.
She stated that members will assemble not merely for another conference, but to evaluate progress, deepen professional knowledge, strengthen professional bonds and prepare for the future of legal practice.
The announcement follows the conclusion of the 2026 Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, establishing an early foundation for the upcoming edition.
Badejo-Okusanya used the address to establish her administration’s direction, urging legal practitioners to avoid offering uncritical backing and instead hold the leadership accountable for its performance.
She stated that her team does not ask for blind faith, but expects members to hold the executive committee accountable. She added that the leadership will consolidate effective strategies, repair flawed processes and build what the future demands.
The NBA President noted that past administrations made commitments that were not always fully realized, stressing that her leadership expects evaluation based on tangible improvements delivered to members and the institution.
Badejo-Okusanya, who joined the Nigerian Bar in 2002, characterized her emergence as President as a step within an ongoing leadership tradition rather than an isolated victory.
She acknowledged former leaders of the Association for their contributions to the development of the Bar, pledging to reinforce successful structures while addressing existing shortcomings.
The new President expressed hope that the final evaluation of her tenure will extend beyond the historic milestone of becoming the first woman elected to lead the organization.
She noted her desire that the legal community will reflect not just on a woman becoming president, but on how the Bar improved, how lawyers gained protection and how professional confidence was restored. She added that the overarching goal remains helping members earn more, live better and practice effectively.
She declared that the core priority of the administration will involve placing the welfare and professional advancement of members at the center of all programs.
She emphasized her wish for members to remember that the administration prioritized practitioners and delivered lasting improvements to the organization.
The NBA President concluded by calling for unity and shared responsibility across the legal community, noting that fulfilling the goals of the new administration requires participation from the entire membership.
