On July 30, 2020, Olumide Akpata was declared the winner of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) national elections, becoming the first non-Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to lead the association in years.
Akpata secured 9,891 votes out of 18,256 ballots cast, defeating SANs Babatunde Ajibade (4,328 votes) and Dele Adesina (3,982 votes).
Virtual Election Process
The election, held virtually from 11 AM on July 29 to 11 PM on July 30, 2020, allowed registered NBA members to vote online using their Supreme Court numbers.
Of the 29,636 eligible voters, the Electoral Committee sent voting links via email and SMS. Akpata led consistently, holding over 50% of votes in every quarter-hourly update.
Official Announcement
At 12:50 AM on July 31, 2020, Tawo Tawo (SAN), Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), announced the results, stating: “I, Tawo Tawo, declare Olumide Akpata, having scored the highest number of votes and satisfied the NBA Constitution of 2015 (as amended), the winner of the election for President of the Nigerian Bar Association.”
A Shift in Leadership
Akpata’s victory marks a significant change, as NBA members expressed a desire for new leadership. Young lawyers, who form the majority of the association, strongly supported him.
Social media posts celebrated the win, with one tweet stating, “Dear Young Lawyers, Our Champions League Trophy is coming home. Let’s keep voting till the end! #OluForAll.”
Who Is Olumide Akpata?
Born on October 7, 1972, Akpata attended King’s College, Lagos, and earned his law degree from the University of Benin in 1992. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993. After serving under Dr. Mudiaga Odje (SAN) during his NYSC, he joined Templars, where he is now Senior Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial Practice. He advises on mergers, acquisitions, capital markets, and regulatory compliance.
Akpata served as Secretary of the NBA Section on Business Law (SBL) in 2012, Vice-Chairman in 2014, and Chairman in 2016. He remains on the NBA-SBL Council and is Vice-Chair (West Africa) of the International Bar Association’s Africa Regional Forum.
Other Elected NBA Officers
The election also filled other positions:
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First Vice President: John O. Aikpokpo-Martins (6,010 votes)
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Second Vice President: Adeyemo Kazeem Debo (8,794 votes)
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General Secretary: Oduah Joyce
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Assistant Secretary: Nwadialo Esther Uchenna
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Treasurer: Mercy Ijato Agada
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Welfare Secretary: Edun Olukunle
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Financial Secretary: Anagor Raphael Nnamdi
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Publicity Secretary: Nduka Rapuluchukwu Ernest (PhD)
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Assistant Publicity Secretary: Naza Ferdinand Afam
Why This Matters
Akpata’s win reflects a push for change within the NBA, driven by younger members seeking fresh leadership. His background and focus on engaging young lawyers have sparked excitement, with many seeing his presidency as a step toward a more inclusive association.
