President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Dr Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, making history as the first woman to head the institution since it was established more than 60 years ago.
The appointment was announced on Tuesday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, Dr Odusote’s appointment will take effect from January 10, 2026, and she will serve a four-year term.
Dr Odusote, who is 54 years old, is currently the Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School and the Head of its Lagos Campus. She will take over from the current Director-General, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, whose tenure ends on January 9, 2026, after eight years in office.
Her appointment has been widely described as a major milestone in the history of legal education in Nigeria, especially for women in the legal profession.
The Nigerian Law School was established in 1962 and is responsible for the professional training of law graduates before they are called to the Nigerian Bar. Over the decades, the institution has produced thousands of lawyers who now serve as judges, senior advocates, academics, politicians, and legal practitioners across the country and beyond.
Until now, all previous Directors-General of the Law School have been men. Dr Odusote’s appointment therefore marks a significant shift and reflects growing efforts to promote gender inclusion in leadership positions within public institutions.
In the statement announcing her appointment, the Presidency highlighted her long years of service, academic background, and experience within the Nigerian Law School system.
Dr Odusote obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, one of Nigeria’s leading universities. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. She later earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from the same university, where she specialised in company and commercial law.
Her academic journey continued abroad, where she obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Law from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom. Her research interests include public law and the administration of justice, areas that are central to the development of a strong legal system.
Dr Odusote joined the Nigerian Law School in 2001 as a lecturer. Since then, she has steadily risen through the ranks, holding several key positions within the institution. Over the years, she has served as Head of the Academic Department, Director of Academics, and Head of Campus.
Her current role as Deputy Director-General and Head of the Lagos Campus places her in charge of one of the busiest and most important campuses of the Nigerian Law School. The Lagos Campus handles a large number of students each year and plays a critical role in the training of future lawyers.
In addition to her work in Nigeria, Dr Odusote has had international academic exposure. She was a visiting scholar at Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom for a short period, where she engaged in research and academic exchange.
She is also known for her contributions to legal scholarship. Dr Odusote has published many articles in reputable local and international law journals. She has also presented academic papers at several legal education conferences, both within Nigeria and outside the country.
Beyond teaching and research, she has been actively involved in the administration and regulation of legal education in Nigeria. She has served on various committees of the Council of Legal Education, which oversees the Nigerian Law School, as well as committees of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the umbrella body for lawyers in the country.
As Director-General, Dr Odusote will be responsible for the overall academic and administrative leadership of the Nigerian Law School. This includes managing its multiple campuses across the country, ensuring high standards of teaching and discipline, and guiding the institution’s long-term plans.
She will also serve as the main link between the Law School and key legal bodies such as the Council of Legal Education, the Body of Benchers, and the Nigerian Bar Association. These bodies play important roles in the training, regulation, and discipline of lawyers in Nigeria.
The appointment comes at a time when the Nigerian Law School is facing growing pressure to improve facilities, manage increasing student numbers, and adapt to changes in legal practice and technology. Many stakeholders have called for reforms to make legal education more modern, efficient, and accessible.
President Tinubu’s decision has been praised by many legal practitioners and civil society groups as a positive step toward gender balance in public appointments. In recent months, the President has spoken about the need to use merit and experience in selecting people for key positions, while also promoting inclusion.
Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, whom Dr Odusote will succeed, has served as Director-General since 2018. During his tenure, the Law School expanded its campuses and introduced some reforms aimed at improving training and discipline. His eight-year term will officially end in January 2026.
As the date for the leadership transition approaches, attention will turn to how Dr Odusote plans to build on existing achievements and address long-standing issues within the Law School. Students, lecturers, and legal professionals across the country are expected to closely watch her early decisions and policy directions.
For many Nigerians, the appointment of the first female Director-General of the Nigerian Law School is not just a personal achievement for Dr Odusote, but a symbol of progress for the legal profession and the country as a whole.
