President Appoints First female DG of Nigerian Law School

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote as the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, marking a historic milestone as the first woman to head the institution since its establishment in 1962.

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

Dr Odusote, 57, is currently 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 expires on January 9, 2026.

A seasoned legal academic, Odusote obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from Obafemi Awolowo University and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. She also earned a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the same university, specialising in company and commercial law, before proceeding to the United Kingdom, where she obtained a PhD in Law from the University of Surrey. Her research interests include public law and the administration of justice.

She joined the Nigerian Law School in 2001 as a lecturer and has since held several key positions, including Head of the Academic Department, Director of Academics, and Head of Campus. She also served briefly as a visiting scholar at Nottingham Trent University in the UK.

Dr Odusote has published widely in reputable local and international law journals and has presented scholarly papers at numerous legal education conferences. In addition, she has served on several committees of the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Bar Association.

As Director-General, she will oversee the Nigerian Law School’s academic leadership, administrative management, and strategic direction 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.

Her appointment has been widely hailed as a significant step towards gender inclusion and continuity in legal education administration in Nigeria.