A quiet but powerful glass ceiling has finally been shattered at the Nigerian Law School. President Bola Tinubu recently appointed Olugbemisola Odusote as the institution’s first female Director General, marking a historic moment in its 64-year history.
The announcement positions Odusote at the helm of the nation’s foremost legal training institution for the first time since it was established in 1962. She took over from Isa Chiroma (SAN) for a four-year tenure.
For Odusote, the appointment is both a professional milestone and the culmination of decades of dedication to legal education. Prior to her elevation, she served as Deputy Director General and Head of the Lagos campus, where she managed one of the school’s busiest centres and played a key role in strengthening its academic and administrative systems.
Her journey with the NLS began in 2001 as a lecturer. Over the years, she steadily rose through the ranks, earning a reputation for excellence, discipline and progressive leadership. She has held several strategic positions, including Head of the Academic Department and Director of Academics, roles that placed her at the heart of shaping the institution’s teaching standards and curriculum
Beyond her administrative accomplishments, Odusote’s academic background is equally impressive. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Obafemi Awolowo University and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. She later earned a Master of Laws degree in Company and Commercial Law from the same institution and went on to complete a PhD in Law at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, with research focused on public law and the administration of justice.
Her appointment has been widely celebrated as a significant step toward gender inclusion in Nigeria’s legal and educational sectors. Many see it as a source of inspiration for young women in law, and a reminder that leadership spaces are expanding to reflect talent, merit and diversity.
As she steps into her new role, expectations are high that Professor Odusote will blend experience with innovation, building on the Law School’s legacy while shaping a future that prepares Nigeria’s next generation of lawyers for a rapidly evolving world.
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