Excitement has gripped the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch following the inauguration of senior lawyer, Mrs. Uchenna Akingbade as the first female Chairman in the nearly 60 years electoral history of the largest NBA branch.

Akingbade made history when she dusted two other candidates to clinch victory in the keenly contested branch elections which held on June 30, 2025.

At the highly colourful inauguration ceremony which held coincidentally at the Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School where the training of lawyers commenced about 60 years ago, Akingbade was presented with a Certificate of Return by the Electoral Committee led by Mr. Kelechi Obi SAN.

Attended by a mammoth crowd of branch members and justice sector stakeholders, Akingbade, a Partner at Sunesis DLP, a Lagos-based commercial and dispute resolution law firm, said that she was “deeply humbled” by the trust reposed in her by the branch members.

In an inaugural address obtained by CITY LAWYER, the fiery Bar Leader said: “But let me be clear — I did not seek this office to make history. I am not drawn to the spotlight; I am a creature of service. I stepped into this race because I saw the possibility of a Bar that is braver in its choices, better in its decisions, stronger in its stand for justice, and more inclusive in its representation.
A Bar that builds on the legacies of those who came before — yet dares to push further. I ran because I believed I could help shape A Bar Without Barriers — and now, I have the honour to do just that.”

Concluding, the new NBA Lagos Branch helmsman said: “To every member of this Branch: we are here to serve you. Hold us to our promises. Challenge us. Walk with us. To every young, intermediate female or male lawyer wondering if he or she can lead, let me say this clearly: Yes, you can. If you can think it, you can do it. If you dare to dream, also dare to act.”

Celebrating Akingbade’s win, the NBA Women Forum wrote: “Akingbade’s historic win sends a clear message: competence, vision, and hard work transcend gender. The inclusion of women in leadership is not only a matter of equity but also a strategic move to enrich decision-making, foster diverse perspectives, and drive progress.

“The NBA Lagos Branch, under Akingbade’s leadership, is expected to champion initiatives that promote the welfare of lawyers, uphold the rule of law, and advance the legal profession in Nigeria.

“Her election represents a significant step towards a more inclusive and representative legal landscape, signaling a positive shift toward embracing the full spectrum of talent within the bar.”

Other officers who make up the new Executive Committee are Kelechukwu Uzoka (Secretary); Ogechi Olisa-Mokelu (Treasurer); Rita O. Nwokocha (Social Secretary); Bennita Nneka Olejeme (Welfare Secretary); Oliver Omoredia (Publicity Secretary); Igwebuike Michael Ikechukwu (Provost), and Ngozi Victor (Assistant Secretary).

A post-inauguration reception as well as after-party were held at the upscale PAS World Centre in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

To view the inauguration album, click here

To view the post-inauguration reception album, click here.

To view the inauguration video, click here.

INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY UCHENNA OGUNEDO AKINGBADE

My Lord, Learned Silk, Respected Elders, Esteemed Colleagues, Distinguished Guests, My Family and Friends – good evening.

I am before you today deeply humbled by the trust members of the Lagos Branch have reposed in me as its newly elected Chairman. I am a symbol of what is possible when courage meets calling. This moment marks the close of what was a keenly-contested campaign and the opening of a fresh page in the history of our great branch.

This was God’s plan. God’s vision, God’s timing, and ultimately it was God who won. To Him be all the glory.

A Historic Mandate

Today, I have become the very first woman in nearly 60 years of elective leadership of Nigeria’s most vaunted Branch- the Premier Bar. Twenty Seven famous names from Senator Kunle Oyero (of blessed memory) through Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi, Chief Theodore Ezeobi SAN (of blessed memory) and my good friend, brother, all round superstar Mr. Bisi Makanjuola, have preceded me in this office. It is indeed a very long shadow. So, I must say that it helps to have such a historic mandate to begin with. It is gratifying in that, without taking a single step, my tenure already stands out.

But let me be clear — I did not seek this office to make history.
I am not drawn to the spotlight; I am a creature of service. I stepped into this race because I saw the possibility of a Bar that is braver in its choices, better in its decisions, stronger in its stand for justice, and more inclusive in its representation.
A Bar that builds on the legacies of those who came before — yet dares to push further. I ran because I believed I could help shape A Bar Without Barriers — and now, I have the honour to do just that.

Alas, history has been made – and it must count. On the other side of my gratitude and humility, I am compelled to ask the hard questions:

Am I the first woman out of 28 because other women have tried and failed 27 times?

Am I the first woman out of 28 because too few women have tried?

Am I the first out of 28 because the profession hasn’t made enough room for women to rise to the top?

Or am I the first simply because the time was not right and it now is?

Food for thought for all of us.

That said, this moment is not mine alone. It belongs to every woman in our profession who needed to see that this was possible, that the bar is open and every room is accessible. It belongs to every female and male who did not know that this dream was available. It belongs also to all the men and women who have embraced my message and given it resonance. And above all, to lawyers everywhere, who will always make up the vanguard for change.

A Bar Without Barriers

My executive committee and I step into office to consolidate on the good work that has been done by the previous administration and to build a bridge — between the caretakers of tradition and the champions of progress. We come as custodians of transformation. Through the course of the campaign, we declared our vision boldly: A Bar Without Barriers. Now, the time has come to turn vision into expectation — and expectation into action. Every one of our manifesto promises was made with a strong sense of responsibility and clear ideas of how to bring them into reality.

A Bar Without Barriers is one where every member is empowered, every voice matters, and the profession serves justice with courage, innovation, and integrity.

A Bar Without Barriers is one that empowers the young lawyer.

A Bar Without Barriers is one that encourages the intermediate lawyer to take on greater responsibility.

A Bar Without Barriers is one that honours, values, and respects our elders — recognising the depth of experience they bring and the continued relevance they hold in shaping the profession today.

A Bar Without Barriers is one that includes the in-house counsel, supports the litigator, celebrates the academic, uplifts the commercial lawyer, and protects the vulnerable.

A Bar Without Barriers is one where welfare is a front burner issue. So that the NBA can remain safe haven for its members.

A Bar Without Barriers is one where our courts are respected both as forums and as bastions of justice consequently, they must have all the functional and necessary infrastructure to operate as such.

A Bar Without Barriers is one where technology and digitization is the norm.

A Bar Without Barriers is one where mentorships, secondments and career mobility are the standard.

A Bar Without Barriers is one where women and men, regardless of age can lead and make history every day, not once in 28 attempts. This is a Bar Without Barriers and that is our mandate.

Next Steps & Roadmap

We intend to hit the ground running. Critical committees have already been constituted to ensure that there is no vacuum, their leadership will be unveiled today. The work has begun. At our first Branch Meeting on September 10th, the executive committee will present a comprehensive two-year roadmap, your tool to hold us accountable. It is a commitment to action, not rhetoric.

For us, leadership is about impact. Consequently, we will listen, we will learn, we will build and just as we earned your trust, we will reward your faith with results.

Acknowledgements

My Family, My Rock

To my husband — thank you. Thank you for standing beside me, for being my peace, my pillar, and my partner in every sense. In a world where public leadership by women is still misunderstood, you gave me the room to lead with confidence. You are a real man. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do this.

I would not be who I am today without a strong foundation — and that foundation begins with my parents. Thank you for instilling in me the values of discipline, compassion, and service.

To my siblings, my first circle of support — thank you. You’ve been so much more, every step of the way.

To my children — thank you for being amazing and responsible throughout this journey. These are some of the factors women must constantly balance. Without solid support at home, it can be difficult for women to reach certain heights.

To all my friends and extended family in the room — you are incredible. I am especially grateful to my partner and the Sunesis DLP team for holding down the fort.

To My Team and Co-Candidates

To my incredible campaign team, you didn’t just deliver a win, you delivered a vision. You were disciplined, focused, values-driven and I will forever be proud of what we built together and the example we have set that – a political process can be decent.

To the other candidates who joined me on the journey up to this point, thank you for running campaigns of intellect and dignity, indeed, with this election we have shown that electioneering doesn’t have to be acrimonious. The elections are over. The real work begins. And I invite you to join hands as partners in progress.

I acknowledge and thank my mentors, my leaders, my elders who have guided me, poured so much into me and helped shape the woman I am today. We will continue to draw on your support and collaboration to make this administration a success.

Final Words

To every member of this Branch: we are here to serve you. Hold us to our promises. Challenge us. Walk with us. To every young, intermediate female or male lawyer wondering if he or she can lead, let me say this clearly: Yes, you can. If you can think it, you can do it. If you dare to dream, also dare to act.

Together, let’s raise a Bar where courage leads, where excellence thrives, and where no one is left behind.

The future is now.
Let’s build it — together.

Thank you.
God bless the Nigerian Bar Association.
God bless NBA Lagos Branch.
God bless all who dare to dream, put in the work and achieve their dreams.

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