Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged women to support one another in their pursuit of leadership positions, saying collaboration and mutual encouragement are essential to breaking barriers and expanding opportunities for women.

Mrs. Tinubu made the call while receiving the President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, at her office in Abuja.

Congratulating the senior lawyer on her election, the First Lady described the achievement as a significant milestone for women across the country, noting that it demonstrates what can be accomplished through commitment, perseverance and collective support.

She encouraged the NBA President-elect to use her new position to inspire and mentor other women aspiring to leadership roles.

Mrs. Tinubu also highlighted the growing presence of women in Nigeria’s judicial sector, pointing out that women currently occupy several top positions, including the offices of the Chief Judge and the President of the Court of Appeal. She said Badejo-Okusanya’s emergence further reflects the increasing contributions of women to national development.

The First Lady praised Foluke Dada-Lawanson, who withdrew from the NBA presidential race and backed Badejo-Okusanya’s candidacy, describing the decision as an uncommon display of sportsmanship and solidarity among women.

In her remarks, Badejo-Okusanya commended the First Lady for the impact of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), particularly its programmes targeted at supporting vulnerable Nigerians.

She said Mrs. Tinubu’s commitment to humanitarian interventions had set a standard worthy of emulation and praised her efforts in improving the lives of disadvantaged groups.

The NBA President-elect also pledged the association’s readiness to collaborate with the First Lady and the Renewed Hope Initiative by providing pro bono legal services for vulnerable persons where necessary.

According to Badejo-Okusanya, the visit was also an opportunity to share the joy of her historic election with the First Lady.

Badejo-Okusanya was elected on July 19 as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association, becoming the first woman to be directly elected to the office and only the second female president in the association’s history.