President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote as the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, marking a historic moment in the institution’s 63-year history. With the appointment, which takes effect from January 10, 2026, Dr. Odusote becomes the first woman to head the Nigerian Law School since its establishment in 1962.
The four-year appointment was announced in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga. Dr. Odusote will succeed Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, whose eight-year tenure ends on January 9, 2026.
Her Academic Background
Dr. Odusote is a seasoned legal academic with a strong foundation in legal education and research. She earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 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.
She furthered her academic training in the United Kingdom, where she obtained a PhD in Law from the University of Surrey. Her research interests span public law and the administration of justice, areas that reflect her long-standing engagement with legal institutions and governance.
Career at the Nigerian Law School
Dr. Odusote joined the Nigerian Law School in 2001 as a lecturer and has spent over two decades rising through the ranks of the institution. Over the years, she has held several strategic leadership positions, including Head of the Academic Department, Director of Academics, and Head of Campus.
Until her appointment as Director-General, she was serving as the Deputy Director-General and Head of the Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School, the largest and busiest of the school’s campuses nationwide.
Her experience also includes a brief stint as a visiting scholar at Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom, further broadening her exposure to international legal education systems.
Scholarly and Professional Contributions
Beyond classroom teaching and administration, Dr. Odusote has maintained an active scholarly profile. She has published widely in reputable local and international law journals and has presented academic papers at numerous conferences on legal education and justice sector development.
She has also served on various committees of the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Bar Association, contributing to policy formulation and professional standards within Nigeria’s legal community.
Responsibilities as Director-General
As Director-General, Dr. Odusote will oversee the academic leadership, administrative management, and strategic direction of the Nigerian Law School across its campuses nationwide. She will also serve as the institution’s principal liaison with key legal bodies, including the Council of Legal Education, the Body of Benchers, and the Nigerian Bar Association.
Her leadership comes at a time when the Nigerian Law School faces increasing pressure to expand capacity, modernise training, and respond to the evolving demands of legal practice.
A Milestone Appointment
Dr. Odusote’s appointment has been widely welcomed within legal and academic circles, not only for her credentials and institutional experience but also for its significance for gender inclusion in legal education leadership.
At 57, she brings a blend of scholarship, administrative experience, and institutional continuity to the role. As she assumes office in January 2026, attention will be on how her leadership shapes the future of legal training in Nigeria and sets new standards for governance within the profession.
