Prof. Foluke Dada-Lawanson – Empowering Legal Leadership Through Purpose and Action with Possibility Movement
In the dynamic field of legal advocacy and academic excellence, Prof. Foluke Dada-Lawanson stands out not just as a contender in the NBA presidential race, but as a seasoned leader who has left an indelible mark on both the Nigerian Bar Association and legal academia.
On NBA Duties & Leadership, she is a Former Chair and Vice Chair of the NBA Ado-Ekiti Branch, Chaired the Local Organizing Committee of the National Executive Committee meeting held in Ekiti in 2012, and served as the alternate Chair of the NBA Lagos Bar Journal for 3 years. She served on different state committees and Director on several Corporate and Non-Governmental Organization’s Boards.
As a Past 2nd Vice President of the NBA (2018–2020), Prof. Dada-Lawanson helped steer national strategies and programming across the Association, demonstrating steadfast leadership during her tenure.
As Chair, Lawyers in Academia Forum, she has fostered a vibrant bridge between legal scholarship and practice – helping academic voices shape Bar activities and policies.
Prof. Foluke Dada-Lawanson engaged with Legal and Women’s Rights Groups and proactively connected with FIDA members and the NBA Women’s Forum across the country, advocating for female lawyers and amplifying justice-orientated initiatives.
She has mentored and advocated for Young Lawyers, urging upcoming lawyers to pursue political office and contribute meaningfully to the Bar and the development of our country, Nigeria. Additionally, she has championed legal ethics and education reforms in Nigeria and in public discourse , including key national legal forums, where she emphasized the importance of embedding ethics into legal education and practice, urging institutions to ensure integrity underpins every stage of legal training.
As a thought leader in human rights, technology & innovation, Prof. Dada-Lawanson has shared many of her thoughts and experiences on panels of discussion and training sessions on various topics in diverse areas of the Law.
Recently, at the NBA’s 2025 Annual General Conference, Prof. Dada-Lawanson joined a select panel of legal trailblazers, offering insights rooted in decades of scholarly work, research, and mentoring – underlining her role in shaping the future of law in Nigeria.
She has strengthened branch identity and solidarity over the years, commending branches on milestone anniversaries and lauding others for their community-building efforts – thus nurturing professional cohesion and morale across the Bar.
Mrs. Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya – Defying Odds and Expectations
Mrs. Oyinkan (Badejo-Okusanya, SAN Designate) is a leading figure in arbitration, ADR, and litigation. Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya was among only two women elevated to SAN in July 2025, out of 57 new SANs. This underscores both her legal prowess and the profession’s gender gap.
She chaired the largest assembly of legal minds during the NBA’s AGC in 2024, demonstrating her leadership and resilience. Known by the social handle @mrsbbold, she embodies boldness in legal practice, innovation, and mentorship.
