TIME FOR A FEMININE TOUCH TO THE NIGERIAN BAR

By:Douglas Ogbankwa Esq

.@douglasogbankwa@gmail.com
It was Dr. Frantz Fanon who said:
"Every generation out of relative obscurity will discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it."

History beckons on the Nigerian Bar Association. As the largest Bar in Africa, goes to the polls this July 2026, and we stand at a defining moment.

For the very first time in the history of NBA National Elections, we have a real female contender for President of the Nigerian Bar Association - Oyanikosola Badejo-Akinsanya, SAN,FCIarb UK .

A LOOK BACK TO MOVE FORWARD

To put the issues in context, we must dive into history to grasp the momentous nature of this issue. As *John F. Jensen* said:
"History is past politics and politics is present history."

The chart of NBA National Leaders: Chairmen/Presidents are as follows:

_I. PAST CHAIRMEN - PRE NBA CONSTITUTION ERA_
1. _Christopher Sapara Williams_ - 1900 – 1915
2. _Sir Kitoyi Ajasa_ - 1915 – 1937
3. _Eric Olawale Moore_ - 1937 – 1944
4. _E. J. Alex Taylor_ - 1944 – 1950
5. _Sir Adeyemo Alakija_ - 1950 – 1952
6. _Alhaji Jubril Martins_ - 1952 – 1959

_II. PAST PRESIDENTS - POST NBA CONSTITUTION ERA_
1. _Chief F. R. A. Williams, SAN_ - 1960 – 1968
2. _Peter Thomas, Esq._ - 1968 – 1969
3. _G. M. Boyo, Esq._ - 1969 – 1970
4. _Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN_ - 1970 – 1973
5. _Chief Adebayo Ogunsanya, SAN_ - 1973 – 1974
6. _Dr. Mudiaga Odje, SAN_ - 1974 – 1976
7. _Dr. Nwakama Okoro, SAN_ - 1976 – 1978
8. _Chief B. O. Benson, SAN_ - 1978 – 1980
9. _Chief Adetunji Fadairo, SAN_ - 1980 – 1982
10. _A. N. Anyamene, SAN_ - 1982 – 1984
11. _Prince Bola Ajibola, SAN_ - 1984 – 1985
12. _Ebele Nwokoye, Esq._ - 1985 – 1987
13. _Alao Aka-Bashorun, Esq._ - 1987 – 1989
14. _Charles Idehen, Esq._ - 1989 – 1991
15. _Chief Clement Akpamgbo, SAN_ - 1991 – 1992
16. _Mrs. Priscilla Kuye_ - 1992
17. _Chief T. J. O. Okpoko, SAN_ - 1998 – 2000
18. _O. C. J. Okocha, SAN_ - 2002
19. _Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN_ - 2002 – 2004
20. _Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN_ - 2004 – 2005
21. _Prince Lanke Odogiyan_ - 2005 – 2006
22. _Olisa Agbakoba, SAN_ - 2006 – 2008
23. _Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN_ - 2008 – 2010
24. _Joseph Bodurin Daudu, SAN_ - 2010 – 2012
25. _Okey Wali, SAN_ - 2012 – 2014
26. _Augustine O. Alegeh, SAN_ - 2014 – 2016
27. _Abubakar Balarabe Mahmud, SAN_ - 2016 – 2018
28. _Paul Usoro, SAN_ - 2018 – 2020
29. _Olumide Akpata_ - 2020 – 2022
30. _Yakubu Chonoko "Y.C." Maikyau, SAN_ - 2022 – 2024
31. _Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe, SAN_ - 2024 – Present

The chart above depicts a stark reality: in over 125 years, only one woman has been elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association in 1992. Even at that, she was not allowed to take office due to crisis.

This is why we must follow the global trend of affirmative action and give a woman the opportunity to not just hold, but to function in the office of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association for the first time.

As *Ruth Bader Ginsburg* rightly observed: "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception."

The feminine touch has historical and jurisprudential significance. The Lady of Justice, which is the symbol of justice, is not a woman by mistake. She is blindfolded for impartiality, holds the scales for balance, and the sword for courage. These are attributes that reflect the mien and temperament of a woman: *considerate, compassionate, and courageous.*

*Nelson Mandela* captured it well: "As long as outmoded ways of thinking prevent women from making a meaningful contribution to society, progress will be slow. There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women."

THE CANDIDATE BEYOND GENDER:

Beyond her femininity, *Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN possesses attributes that make the learned silk a true leader.

As *Eleanor Roosevelt* said: "A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water."

The Learned Silk has:
1. *Deep understanding of the Bar* - She knows the Bar, and the Bar knows her.
2. *A very congenial mien* - She is approachable and accessible.
3. *Problem-solving leadership* - A leader that listens and solves your problems immediately without unnecessary protocol.

As *Chief F.R.A. Williams, SAN*, the first President of the NBA once said: "The Bar is not just a profession, it is a brotherhood and sisterhood in the cause of justice."


This July, we will decide whether to fulfil our mission or betray it.

Martin Luther King Jr. admonished: "The time is always right to do what is right."

The time is now. The time is for a feminine touch.
Let us make history. Let us make justice more humane.

About the Author: Douglas Ogbankwa Esq., is a former Director of Strategic Communications of the African Bar Association (AfBA).