NBA President Urges Women Leaders to Mentor Younger Generation, Create Opportunities
By Tams Jonah, ABUJA – The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, FCIArb (UK), has called on women in leadership positions to mentor younger women, create opportunities for them and make it easier for the next generation to succeed.
Badejo-Okusanya made the call while delivering a keynote address titled “Losing the Fear to Pursue” at The International Women Leadership Conference (TIWLC), convened by Ibukun Awosika.
Reflecting on the challenges, uncertainties and discouragements that shaped her career, particularly during the campaign period, the NBA president stressed the importance of taking bold steps towards achieving one’s goals despite fear and uncertainty.
According to her, aspiring leaders should not wait for fear to disappear before pursuing their ambitions, noting that the courage to take the first step can open doors to opportunities they may not initially envision.
She emphasised that women’s responsibilities in leadership extend beyond breaking barriers and making history to ensuring that younger women have the opportunity to follow in their footsteps.
The NBA president noted that while occupying leadership positions represents a significant achievement, such accomplishments become more meaningful when they create pathways for others to succeed.
She described mentorship as an essential component of effective leadership, urging women leaders to be deliberate about sharing their experiences, creating opportunities and helping younger women navigate their career paths.
Badejo-Okusanya maintained that the impact of leadership should not be measured solely by the barriers overcome but also by the opportunities created for those who come after.
“The real measure of breaking a barrier is not only that we made it through, but that we made the way easier for those who follow,” she said.
Her message underscored the importance of courage, mentorship and purposeful leadership in advancing women’s participation and success across professional and leadership spaces.
