Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote makes history as first female DG of Nigerian Law School

In a historic milestone for legal education in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote as the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, making her the first woman to lead the institution since its establishment in 1962.

The appointment takes effect on January 10, 2026, and is for a four-year term, according to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.

Dr Odusote, 57, currently serves as the Deputy Director-General and Head of the Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School. She will succeed Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, whose eight-year tenure concludes on January 9, 2026.

A seasoned legal academic, Dr Odusote’s career spans over three decades in legal education. She earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from Obafemi Awolowo University and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. She later obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the same institution, specialising in company and commercial law. Her pursuit of advanced legal scholarship took her to the United Kingdom, where she completed a PhD in Law at the University of Surrey, focusing her research on public law and the administration of justice.

Since joining the Nigerian Law School in 2001 as a lecturer, Dr Odusote has held a series of leadership positions, including Head of the Academic Department, Director of Academics, and Head of Campus. Her career also includes a brief tenure as a visiting scholar at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, broadening her exposure to international legal education standards.

Her scholarly contributions are extensive, with numerous publications in reputable local and international law journals. She has also presented papers at countless conferences on legal education and served on multiple committees of the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Bar Association, highlighting her influence on policy and academic governance in the sector.

As Director-General, Dr Odusote will oversee the Nigerian Law School’s academic leadership, strategic direction, and administrative management across its campuses nationwide. She will also serve as the principal link between the institution and key legal bodies, including the Council of Legal Education, the Body of Benchers, and the Nigerian Bar Association, ensuring that the school maintains its critical role in shaping Nigeria’s legal practitioners.

Her appointment has been widely hailed as a progressive step for gender inclusion in Nigeria’s legal profession, signaling a new era of continuity and excellence in legal education administration. Observers note that Dr Odusote’s blend of academic rigor, administrative experience, and international exposure positions her to lead the Nigerian Law School into a period of growth, innovation, and global engagement.

President Tinubu’s approval of Dr Odusote underscores a commitment to promoting capable leadership while breaking gender barriers in institutions that have traditionally been male-dominated. Legal academics and practitioners have lauded the move, describing it as a landmark moment for women in law and higher education in Nigeria.

With her appointment, Dr Odusote is set to chart a course that balances academic excellence with strategic oversight, while also inspiring a generation of women aspiring to leadership roles in the country’s legal and educational landscape.