Historic: Odusote Becomes Law School’s First Female Head

President Bola Tinubu has officially approved the appointment of Dr. Olugbemisola Odusote as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Law School. This landmark decision makes Dr. Odusote the first woman to lead the institution since its founding in 1962.

The appointment was announced on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the official statement, her four-year term will commence on January 10, 2026.

Succession and Transition

Dr. Odusote, who is 54 years old, currently serves as the Deputy Director-General and the Head of the Lagos Campus. She will succeed Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, whose eight-year tenure concludes on January 9, 2026.

Academic and Professional Profile

Dr. Odusote brings a wealth of experience and academic excellence to her new role. Her professional journey includes the following milestones:

• Legal Foundation: She earned her LL.B. from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.
• Specialization: She holds an LL.M from OAU, focusing on commercial and company law.
• Advanced Research: She obtained a PhD from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, specializing in the administration of justice and Public Law.
• Career Growth: Since joining the Nigerian Law School as a lecturer in 2001, she has held various senior positions, including Director of Academics and Head of Campus.

Additionally, Dr. Odusote has international academic exposure, having served as a visiting scholar at Nottingham Trent University in the UK.

Key Responsibilities of the Director-General

As the head of the institution, Dr. Odusote will oversee the academic and administrative management of all Law School campuses nationwide. Her primary duties will include:

1. Providing strategic direction for legal education in Nigeria.
2. Acting as the chief liaison between the school and the Council of Legal Education.
3. Maintaining vital connections with the Body of Benchers and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).