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 head the institution since its establishment in 1962.
The appointment, which takes effect from January 10, 2026, is for a four year term. Dr Odusote will succeed the outgoing Director General, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, whose tenure comes to an end on January 9, 2026, after eight years in office.
Dr Odusote is currently the Deputy Director General of the Nigerian Law School and Head of its Lagos Campus. Her elevation to the top leadership position reflects her long standing service, academic distinction, and extensive administrative experience within the institution.
She earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from Obafemi Awolowo University and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. She later obtained a Master of Laws degree from the same university, specialising in company and commercial law. Dr Odusote went on to earn a doctorate in law from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, with her research focusing on public law and the administration of justice.
Dr Odusote joined the Nigerian Law School in 2001 as a lecturer and has since held several key positions that have shaped academic and administrative policies across the institution. Her roles have included Head of the Academic Department, Director of Academics, and Head of Campus, positions through which she contributed significantly to curriculum development, staff training, and institutional management.
In addition to her work within Nigeria, she has also had international academic exposure, having served briefly as a visiting scholar at Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom. Her scholarly work includes numerous publications in reputable local and international law journals, as well as presentations at various legal education conferences.
She has also served on several committees of the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Bar Association, contributing to policy formulation and reforms in legal education and professional practice in Nigeria.
As Director General, Dr Odusote will be responsible for providing overall academic leadership and administrative oversight for the Nigerian Law School across all its campuses. Her duties will also include setting the institution’s strategic direction and serving as the principal liaison between the Law School, the Council of Legal Education, the Body of Benchers, and the Nigerian Bar Association.
The appointment has been widely viewed as a significant step in promoting gender inclusion in leadership within Nigeria’s legal education system, while also underscoring the administration’s emphasis on competence, experience, and continuity in key national institutions.
