The Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG), on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, rolled out the drums to celebrate thirty-four (34) of its alumni who graduated with First Class honours in the 2025 Nigerian Law School Bar Final Examination.
The ceremony, which was held at the Faculty Boardroom, marked the graduates’ first official homecoming following their success at the Nigerian Law School. It also provided an opportunity for the Faculty’s management, staff, students and alumni to celebrate their outstanding achievement and contributions to the Faculty’s enduring legacy of academic excellence.
The event was the second of its kind, following a similar ceremony held in honour of forty three (43) alumni who graduated with First Class honours in the 2024 Nigerian Law School Bar Final Examination. (👉🏼Click here to read more👈🏼).
Avalanche of Congratulations
In his remarks, the outgoing Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Abiola Sanni, SAN, represented by Professor Tunde Otubu, described the occasion as a celebration of excellence. He particularly commended the graduates, who are members of the 2026 Call to Bar cohort, for their remarkable accomplishment, noting that it reaffirms the Faculty’s long-standing tradition of academic excellence and professional distinction.
According to him, the milestone achieved by the 34 alumni reflects intellectual brilliance, discipline, perseverance, resilience, and hard work. He noted that the feat brought honour not only to the graduates and their families, but also to their alma mater.
He therefore urged the honourees to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and service throughout their legal careers.
In the same vein, the incoming Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Adejoke Oyewunmi, congratulated the honourees, describing their success as a source of pride for the Faculty and an inspiration to both current and future students.
2026 WIPO Intellectual Property Moot Court Competition Champions
Beyond recognizing the 34 First Class Bar graduates, the Faculty also celebrated the outstanding achievements of Kaosisochukwu Andrina Nkpolara (500 Level) and Israel Idara Ifiok (200 Level), who emerged World Champions at the 2026 World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Intellectual Property Moot Court Competition held in Switzerland.
Israel Idara Ifiok was named Best Oralist at the competition, while Kaosisochukwu Andrina Nkpolara emerged Second Runner-Up Best Oralist, further reinforcing the Faculty’s reputation for excellence in advocacy and international legal competitions.
Inauguration of General Assembly of the Faculty of Law Alumni Association
Another major highlight of the event was the formal inauguration of the General Assembly of the Faculty of Law Alumni Association, comprising two representatives from each graduating class of the Faculty. The initiative, coordinated by the Chairman of the Faculty of Law Alumni Relations Committee, Mrs. Funke Ago, SAN, is aimed at strengthening alumni engagement and fostering sustained collaboration between graduates and the Faculty.
In her address, Mrs. Ago described the General Assembly as a structured platform for reconnecting generations of alumni, promoting mentorship, supporting scholarly initiatives and expanding the Faculty’s contributions to national development through a vibrant and united alumni network.
She also congratulated the First Class graduates, describing their achievement as yet another testament to the Faculty’s enduring culture of excellence, discipline and diligence.
“UNILAG Law Faculty Prepared Us For Nigerian Law School”
Responding on behalf of the award recipients, Joshua Adeyeye, Esq., who served as the 54th President of the Faculty of Law Students’ Association, expressed appreciation to the Faculty for its rigorous academic training, mentorship and unwavering support, which, he said, prepared them for the demands of the Nigerian Law School.
He assured the Faculty that the graduates would continue to uphold the values of excellence and professionalism for which the University of Lagos is renowned as they embark on their legal careers.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photograph: Michael Joshua
