What inspired you to pursue a career in law, and how did that shape your academic journey at Nile University and the Nigerian Law School?

My interest in law has deep roots, stemming from my childhood reverence for the legal profession. Law is a noble profession, and I wanted to be a part of it. The ambience and candour of the legal profession also played a huge part. Lawyers were held in high esteem and moved with confidence and dignity. The selfless activism of esteemed legal figures further motivated me to pursue a career and succeed in the legal profession.

 

Interestingly, just like many of us as children, I had many other interests. At one time, I wanted to be a Medical Doctor; at another, an Engineer; and at another, a Footballer. However, there was just this feeling and urge that I wanted to be a lawyer. This, of course, was influenced by how I saw the legal profession.

 

Hence, it was definitely not for the fear of mathematics or sciences. In fact, many called me an all-round student. I was the Best Student in Mathematics, among others, and the Overall Best Student at the time. So, you can imagine the narrative of how many were stunned at my decision to join the Arts class. Luckily, I changed schools courtesy of a scholarship, thus escaping agitations from my teachers and friends regarding my decision. They got to know after I had begun studies in Arts, but this didn’t deter some complaints.

 

Fortunately, despite the popular idea that Arts classes aren’t for the bright, I graduated secondary school as the Overall Best Graduating Student, Best Student in Arts, and the Best in 7 of the 10 subjects I offered. This further earned me a 100% scholarship to pursue a degree of my choice at Nile University of Nigeria.

 

My journey at Nile University was nothing short of a roller coaster ride. It was an experience that shaped, built, and nurtured me into who I am becoming. Passion meets reality; I began to encounter the law that I always revered. Due to the interest I had, I found law enjoyable and was willing to put in the effort to match the intensity that law demands. Of course, it became more intense as the years passed, but so was the desire to learn and meet the challenge. The more I learned the law, the more I was grateful for the resolve to have pursued a career in law.

 

I eventually graduated as the Valedictorian (Overall Best Graduating Student) with a perfect CGPA of 5.0. Now that I think of it, this feat also drove me to achieve success at the Nigerian Law School. I emerged as the Overall Best Student, Overall Best Male Student and Best in Property Law Practice and Professional Ethics and Skills respectively . All this didn’t just happen. The mentality was not only there, but the consistency and discipline to match it. But most importantly, I loved it and was willing to put in the effort because I still have that unexplainable urge to be a lawyer and one of the best in the profession.

 

What study techniques or routines did you consistently use that helped you graduate as the best student in both institutions?

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. There is just no magic formula. I believe at times progress do occur, and due to the exigencies of particular circumstances, I have had to develop my study techniques. This is particularly true for the Nigerian Law School, where precision was pivotal.

 

Nonetheless, these study routines have common denominators, and I would be sharing a few. First, you have to realize that your journey is a personal journey, and you need to know yourself. Understand your strengths and work on your weaknesses. You have weaknesses so you can overcome them. While you, of course, plan around your weaknesses, do not just accept them.

My preparations began from the first day. While at the University and the Nigerian Law School, for each day, I already had an idea of my schedule; this began from the first day. This afforded me a progressive approach to studying. This allowed me to move with classes and address concerns at the earliest opportunity.

 

Studying before class was as important as studying after class. The idea was to have an idea of what was to be taught to be able to not only easily flow in the direction of the class but also contribute meaningfully to discussions. What this did was to make me very familiar with the courses. This was a bit of a struggle at the Nigerian Law School because of the time factor, but I never entered a class with zero knowledge.

 

The ability to be flexible with routines is pertinent. I was able to systematically make little changes to study patterns. Some were a result of growth, and some, the need to adapt to current circumstances. For example, to learn authorities, I had to have an authority book where I specifically marked them out with a few descriptions. Later on, I resorted to highlighting these authorities directly in my class notes. This is where understanding what works for one at the time and the ability to adapt comes in. At the end of the day, regardless of technique, the most important thing was that they were effective and produced results. This was, of course, coupled with consistency and strong work ethics.

 

How did you balance intense academic pressure with other aspects of your life during law school?

For the most part, my schedule at the law school was pretty straightforward. It was class, reading, and sleep. Due to the overwhelming demands of law school, it was pretty much it. Beyond my religious obligations, it was pretty much about law school. Hence, I had to sacrifice my involvement in a number of things for the purpose of law school.

 

Nevertheless, I was a group leader. This required me to manage the activities of my group alongside my personal responsibilities. To be honest, it was far from easy, but it was doable. How? Time management. I had to manage my time effectively. My schedule was so regimented that those close to me knew exactly where I would be at any given time. However, there was room for flexibility.

 

It has been posited that being a group leader deters you from getting the best grades from law school. Nonetheless, with a proper group structure, I was able to not only manage my group activities effectively but also achieve the best of grades.

 

Were there any moments when you doubted yourself? How did you overcome them?

The act of doubting oneself is natural, but what you do after is what matters. Most of the time, we pay so much attention to results and fail to recognize the development process.

 

I have had many moments of doubt. The pressure can be a lot, and sometimes when I look at my current status and the goal, and I realize the big gap, the fear of not being good enough sets in. However, whenever I get that feeling, I try to juxtapose my current status and my previous status and ask myself, has there been progress? Most often than not, there was, and that was enough resolve to move beyond these self-doubts.

 

In moments of self-doubt, I also reach out to trusted friends and mentor(s) who can give a candid opinion on the situation. Their words of encouragement and reports give me a reassurance that I am on the right track, and when I am not, I take the necessary steps.

 

I remember one particular moment at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, where we had the first snap test. We were given 3 hours to answer 5 courses. Of course, that was not realistically possible, but I was totally bummed out for not being able to answer a significant portion. This was notwithstanding that I knew the answers. It took a call from a mentor to make me realize the essence of the test and that knowing the answers to those questions was sufficient at the time.

 

What was the most challenging aspect of your time at the Nigerian Law School, and how did you handle it?

Every hour at the Nigerian Law School was challenging for me. Beyond the academic pressure, there were bits of financial and emotional challenges, but you know, law school waits for no one.

 

The most challenging moments were when we were undergoing training at designated courts of law, popularly referred to as Court Externship. During that period, I was indisposed with Malaria 2-3 times within a space of 5 weeks. I barely had enough time to sleep. This was due to the intense academic schedule I placed on myself at the time. Getting back from court late in the evening, I had little time in the day, thus requiring me to stay up all night, and I had to do this consistently for over a month.

 

With God’s grace, support from family and friends, and an unwavering mentality, I was able to give my best regardless of the discomfort.

 

How did you deal with failure or academic setbacks, if any, and what did you learn from them?

I am aware that I have a great academic record that seems too good to be true. However, just like anyone else, I have also had a share of setbacks.

 

During my final year at the University, I resolved to put in entries for essay competitions. I remember submitting a significant number of entries with no single victory. Naturally, I was disheartened, but I had to understand that I was not winning simply because I wasn’t just good enough at the time. I call this the learning process. I had to further develop my writing skills. Learning from others by way of reading winning entries was also helpful. Finally, I won one, and that led to me winning 4 national essay competitions that same year.

 

This taught me the importance of the learning process. It taught me the importance of learning from my mistakes and omissions and also getting a dose of direction from those that have gone ahead of me. Failure is only a precedent to success; it is not the final destination. Thomas Edison also once said, "Look at failures as opportunities, and success will come your way."

 

Can you share a particular case or legal concept that transformed your understanding of law during your academic journey?

There are a plethora of sound legal principles and legal pronouncements from our eminently qualified and highly revered members of the bench. To be fair, it is very difficult to make a choice.

 

However, there is a case I encountered in my sophomore year at the University that changed my perspective, particularly as to the relationship between law and morality.

 

In UBA v. Tejumola & Sons Ltd [1988], 2 NWLR (Pt.79) 662 (SC), the Defendants had offered to lease the Plaintiff’s building for 15 years at a fixed rent. The letter was boldly headed “subject to contract”. The Plaintiff accepted the offer and specifically stated that the lease would commence on 1st May 1982. The Defendants thereafter requested several expensive renovations to the building, which were carried out by the Plaintiff. The Defendant never took possession, and the Plaintiff sued to enforce the contract. The Supreme Court held that despite the conduct of the parties, there was no contract between them. The Court agreed with the Defendant’s contention that since the offer and acceptance was “subject to contract”, and which eventually did not materialise, there was no lease to enforce against the Defendants.

 

While many may say that it is unfair to the Plaintiff, being that they had expended a lot of funds to make renovations to the building on behalf of the Defendant, I realized the importance of a lawyer in any relationship. The law is not morality, though morality can influence the law. Hence, the standard is not what I think is right, but what is right in accordance with the law.

 

What kept you motivated to consistently strive for excellence, even when things got difficult?

An athlete in a race is more determined than someone just sprinting for fun. I believe in “nothing but the best.” If 100 is attainable, why 99.9? I believe each step I take is to bring me closer to achieving my goal. Of course, it is natural that there would be hurdles, but these difficult times make success more meaningful. During difficult periods, I picture the goal, and I say to myself, this too shall pass.

 

Having a good support system has also been instrumental. Motivation and belief in me from family and friends, plaudits, prizes, and being celebrated after intense work also served as encouragement.

 

How important was mentorship or peer support in your success story?

Growing up, mentorship was something I struggled with. Right from the days people had “school parents”, I struggled to comprehend the essence. I believed that all that was needed was to put in the work and get results. However, with time, I began to see the huge impact mentorship has.

 

Unknowingly, I had passive mentors who, though I didn’t interact with personally, their stories and experiences influenced my approach. From my final year at the University, I began to take mentorship more seriously, and it played a very huge role, particularly in my law school journey.

 

There was a lot of information as to strategy, approach, and encouragement that my mentor(s) gave me that readily prepared me mentally and made life at law school relatively more seamless.

 

Peer support was also there. I was genuinely taken aback by the level of faith others placed in me. I remember receiving BGS chants months before sitting for the law school exams. Most importantly, I was also in a study group. Believe me, words can’t do justice to the amount of value that I received by virtue of actively engaging in my study group activities.

 

Did you ever feel pressure to live up to expectations? If so, how did you manage it?

A good record comes with a share of expectations and a level of brilliance that people expect you to live up to. To be fair, I also have this expectation of myself. Thus, the pressure mostly comes from within.

 

By focusing on myself, I am able to assess myself. This self-reflection allows me to identify my lapses and address them. Of course, doubts creep in momentarily, and then the pressure begins to surmount, but when I look back at past achievements, I tell myself, “you have done it before, why fail now?”

 

Were you involved in extracurricular activities like moot competitions, student politics, or volunteering? If yes, how did they shape your legal journey?

During my undergraduate years, I was involved in almost everything in the Faculty of Law and a good share beyond the Faculty.

 

My years as a Lead Counsel at Attorney Chambers, a member of the Faculty Debate, Moot and Mock Team, and enrolling in internships allowed me to hone my advocacy skills.

 

I assumed various leadership roles. My time as the Vice President of the Law Student Society, President of the International Humanitarian Law Advocacy Club, General Secretary, CLASFON Nile Chapter, Planning Committee Head, Nile Model United Nations, among others, were challenging and rewarding in equal measure and made me a better leader.

 

As part of my volunteer experience, I engaged in projects such as Street Law and legal awareness initiatives, offering limited legal assistance through the Law Clinic, where I served as the Deputy Clinic Manager.

 

These experiences gave me the necessary exposure I needed as an aspiring legal practitioner. They gave me the opportunity to interact with relevant stakeholders in the profession. They gave life to the letters of the law. I also got invaluable skills from these experiences, including, but not limited to, leadership and teamwork skills, excellent communication skills, and advocacy skills.

 

In what ways do you think law students can build practical skills beyond the classroom?

The belief that academic success is only built by a triangular lifestyle is a fallacy that has over time been debunked. The classroom serves as a foundation upon which every student should build. By engaging in internships, volunteering experiences, and participating in extracurriculars such as Moot and Mock, essay competitions, and even activities beyond law, one becomes a well-rounded student.

 

Now that you've completed law school at the top of your class, what's next for you professionally and personally?

I studied law because I wanted to be a lawyer and make an impact. Right now, I believe what’s next for me is to engage in legal practice at the highest level. I recognize that I am relatively new to practice, and it would require dedication, but of course, it is a learning process; I am ready for that.

 

However, I have the desire to further my studies. It is a lifelong dream of mine to be a Professor of Law in active legal practice as well. I am looking at effectively combining academics and practice. Thus, it is my desire to pursue postgraduate studies at the Ivy Leagues such as Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge.

 

Are there particular areas of law you're passionate about or plan to specialize in?

At this early stage of my career, I am very open to any area of law. To be honest, almost every area of law intrigues me. I am ready to deep dive into any area of law, be it Corporate Commercial Law, Energy, Finance, Technology, Intellectual Property, or Dispute Resolution, and I believe I can succeed in any if I put my mind to it.

 

However, a particular area of law that really fascinates me is International Humanitarian Law (IHL), loosely called the Law of War. IHL is a special branch of Public International Law, which consists of rules that, in times of armed conflict, seek to protect persons who are not or are no longer directly participating in the hostilities and restrict means and methods of warfare. My interactions with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), finalist at the ICRC National Moot Competition 2023, and my time as President of the IHL Advocacy Club, among others, further spurred my interest in the field. My interest and involvement in the field earned me the Emerging Expert in International Humanitarian Law Award by the West African Law Students Association (WALSA) 2023. Pursuing a career in this field would definitely not be a bad idea.

 

How do you envision using your legal education to make an impact in Nigeria or globally?

My goal is to become one of the finest legal practitioners in the country and the world and to have an impact on the lives of many with my legal practice.

 

I envisage making an impact through providing legal advisory in complex transactions, advocating for policy reform, collaboration with international organizations and relevant stakeholders, contribution to legal scholarship, and participation in national and international forums, among others, to address pressing legal challenges and promote justice.

 

Nonetheless, my drive to succeed and make an impact through legal practice, I have also come to realize that rendering assistance to the underprivileged and making positive changes in society is one of the very reasons I want to be a lawyer. I do not have to wait till I make it big in the profession. With my little contribution to society, I can gradually achieve my goals.

 

What advice do you have for law students who want to excel academically but struggle with consistency?

What distinguishes excellent people from an average person is the level of consistency in putting in the work. First, one has to build discipline. Of course, these terms are interrelated; discipline leads to consistency, and consistency leads to more discipline. Essentially, my advice is to recognize that one needs to discipline oneself to do the right thing at the right time. This would involve avoiding distractions and planning one’s time effectively and efficiently. Before one knows it, it becomes second nature. Having accountability checks is also pivotal.

 

If you could go back and tell your 100-level self one thing, what would it be?

In retrospect, I would advise myself to initiate action sooner. There are a number of things I began later on in my undergraduate studies which would have been better if I had started earlier. Nonetheless, I am grateful to God for where I am today and where he is taking me.

 

How can Nigerian law schools better support students on their journey to excellence?

There are a lot of things to learn beyond the four walls of the classroom. Nigerian law schools can organize platforms to expose students to opportunities. For example, career fairs where students can interact with law firms, internal and external programs and competitions, conferences, etc.

 

Schools can also have student centers which would be readily accessible to students. This initiative would help bridge the gap between students and the school authorities and foster involvement in both circular and extracurricular activities.