In a landmark decision for Nigeria's legal education sector, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Law School. This appointment shatters a 64-year glass ceiling, making Odusote the first woman to lead the institution since its establishment in 1962.
A Historic First for Legal Education
The announcement was made public on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, via a statement from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. The appointment is set to take effect on Saturday, January 10, 2026, marking the commencement of a four-year term. Odusote will succeed the outgoing DG, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, whose eight-year tenure concludes on Friday, January 9, 2026.
This historic move by the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration has been met with widespread acclaim, particularly from advocates for gender equality and diversity in Nigeria's leadership spheres. As the new DG, Odusote will shoulder the responsibility for the institution's overall academic leadership, administrative management, and strategic direction across all its campuses nationwide.
Odusote's Distinguished Career Profile
Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote is no stranger to the halls of the Nigerian Law School. The 54-year-old legal scholar is currently the Deputy Director-General and Head of the Lagos Campus. Her journey with the institution began in 2001 when she joined as a lecturer. Over more than two decades, she has ascended through various critical roles, including Head of the Academic Department and Director of Academics.
Her academic credentials are formidable. Odusote obtained her LL.B. degree from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. She further honed her expertise by earning an LL.M from the same university, specialising in Company and Commercial Law. Her pursuit of academic excellence led her to the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, where she obtained a PhD in Law, with research interests in Public Law and the administration of justice.
Beyond her administrative duties, Odusote is a respected academic voice. She has published extensively in reputable local and international law journals and is a regular presenter at legal education conferences. Her experience also includes a visiting scholar stint at Nottingham Trent University in the UK and service on committees of the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Responsibilities and National Significance
In her new role, Odusote will serve as the primary liaison between the Nigerian Law School, the Council of Legal Education, the Body of Benchers, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). This position places her at the heart of legal professional training and standards in Africa's most populous nation.
The appointment signals a significant step towards inclusive leadership within Nigeria's traditionally male-dominated institutions. It comes at a time when the Tinubu administration is steering the nation through various reforms. By placing a highly qualified and experienced woman at the helm of such a pivotal institution, the government underscores a commitment to leveraging the nation's full talent pool for national development.
As Nigeria's legal community and the public digest this news, all eyes will be on Odusote as she prepares to take the reins and write a new chapter in the storied history of the Nigerian Law School.
