ABUJA, January 7, 2026 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman to lead the institution since its establishment in 1962.
The announcement was made in an official statement issued on January 6 by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote as the director-general of the Nigerian Law School," the statement read, noting that the four-year tenure takes effect from January 10, 2026.
Dr. Odusote, aged 54 (with some reports citing 57), currently serves as Deputy Director-General and Head of the Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School. She will succeed the outgoing Director-General, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, whose eight-year tenure concludes on January 9, 2026.
A seasoned legal educator and scholar, Dr. Odusote earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. She further obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the same university, specializing in company and commercial law. Her academic pursuits culminated in a PhD in Law from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, with research focused on public law and the administration of justice.
Dr. Odusote joined the Nigerian Law School in 2001 as a lecturer and has steadily advanced through the ranks, holding positions such as 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, enriching her international exposure.
Throughout her career, she has been an active contributor to legal scholarship, publishing extensively in reputable local and international law journals. Dr. Odusote has presented papers at numerous legal education conferences and served on various committees of the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Bar Association.
In her new role as Director-General, Dr. Odusote will be responsible for the institution's overall academic leadership, administrative management, and strategic direction across its multiple campuses nationwide. She will also act as the primary liaison between the Nigerian Law School, the Council of Legal Education, the Body of Benchers, and the Nigerian Bar Association.
The Nigerian Law School, established in 1962, plays a pivotal role in Nigeria's legal system by providing vocational training for aspiring lawyers after their university education, culminating in the Bar Part II examinations and call to the Bar. The institution operates campuses in several locations, including Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Yola, and Bayelsa, ensuring widespread access to professional legal training.
This appointment has been widely hailed as a breakthrough for gender representation in Nigeria's legal education sector. Legal practitioners and women's advocacy groups have praised President Tinubu's decision, viewing it as a step toward greater inclusivity in high-level positions traditionally dominated by men.
The presidency highlighted Dr. Odusote's extensive experience and contributions to legal education as key factors in her selection. Her elevation from within the institution underscores a preference for internal expertise and continuity in leadership.
As Nigeria continues to reform its judicial and educational systems amid economic and governance challenges, Dr. Odusote's leadership is expected to bring fresh perspectives to modernizing legal training, enhancing curriculum relevance, and addressing contemporary issues in the administration of justice.
This historic appointment aligns with broader efforts under the Tinubu administration to promote merit-based selections and diversity in public service roles.
