Nigeria’s Best Graduating Law Student, Oluwabusayo Ifonlaja, speaks to TEMITOPE ADETUNJI about the discipline, faith, focus, and sacrifice behind his success

Can you take us back to your childhood, specifically, where you grew up and what your early education was like?

I am from Odogbolu in Ogun State, but I spent most of my childhood in Ikenne Remo, also in Ogun State. In my family, education and good character were very important. My parents believed in discipline and taught us that from a young age.

I began my education at Standard Balogun Model School in Ikenne Remo, where I attended both nursery and primary school. One of my first proud moments was when I came first in Nursery 2 during the graduation and prize-giving ceremony. I still remember how proud my parents were of me.

As a child, I was very curious and sometimes stubborn, but I was also creative and eager to learn. My teachers encouraged my creativity and love for excellence, and that helped build a strong foundation for my academic journey. School was more than just a place to learn facts; it was where I learnt to think, express myself, and dream big.

I continued to take first place in class and won several competitions. At my primary school graduation, I was given a special award as ‘Boy of the Year.’ That was the beginning of many more awards to come.

How old are you, and what position are you in the family?

I’m 23 years old, and I’m the third child in my family. I have siblings, and growing up with them shaped a lot of who I am today. My siblings have been a strong part of my support system. Our different personalities made our home lively and fun. I truly value the bond we share.

Can you take us back to your earliest memories of wanting to study law?

My interest in law started in childhood. I admired lawyers and saw them as confident, respected, and dignified people. I was drawn to how noble the profession seemed. I was also inspired by lawyers who stood up for others and fought for justice.

Growing up in a community where people’s rights were often violated, I came to understand how powerful the law could be, not just as words written in books, but as a tool to protect, uplift, and empower people. That awareness stayed with me. As I learnt more about the legal profession, I realised that studying law wasn’t just a career path for me, it was a calling with deep purpose.

I gained admission to the university in 2018 and graduated in 2023. I began Law School in January 2024, wrote my final paper in November 2024, received my result in April 2025, and was officially called to the Bar in July 2025.

What kind of encouragement did you get from your parents?

Like many children, I had different dreams while growing up. At one point, I wanted to be a doctor. Another time, I wanted to be an engineer. I even thought about being a footballer. My parents didn’t support that dream of being a footballer. My dad would even flog me when I sneaked out to play football.

But deep down, I always had this strong feeling that I wanted to be a lawyer. I admired the legal profession a lot. So, from an early age, I decided I wanted to be a lawyer. From that point, it was either law or nothing. My parents focused on education.

They made sure we had everything we needed, textbooks, school materials, and they followed up on our progress.

They regularly spoke to our teachers and checked our homework. My dad never bought me toys. To him, books were toys, and my room was full of them. But sometimes, he would promise me games as a reward and keep to his promise. These efforts encouraged me to take my academics seriously and aim high. 

From Nile University to Nigerian Law School in Lagos: what was that change like?

The Nigerian Law School is very unique. Everything moves very fast, and it’s something you can only truly understand when you go through it. Moving from Nile University to Law School was both tough and eye-opening. The first four weeks were especially hard. I like to call them the ‘weeks of chaos.’

There was a lot to learn, and I had to adjust quickly and find balance. Still, it wasn’t too hard. Even though both schools are different, succeeding in both required the same things: discipline, focus, and consistency. Nile University also prepared me well for life after school, and that helped at Law School. But Law School was still a different experience.

It was fast, intense, and full of pressure. Everything became about how well you could think quickly, solve problems, and apply what you had learnt. It helped me grow. I became more serious, focused, and determined. Looking back, the experience really helped me. It gave me more confidence that law is not just something I love, but something I can do as a real career.

What was your first impression of the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus?

People say the Lagos Campus is very tough and not for the weak. So, I arrived ready for serious work. I told myself I was there to grow and become the best version of myself, and yes, some of the things I heard were true. It was hard, but I saw it as something I needed to go through. I gave it my all.

What was your daily routine?

It was a mix of God’s grace, having the right mindset, discipline, planning, and asking for help when needed. From the start, I aimed for the best. I treated every mark seriously because I knew one small mistake could stop me from getting a First Class.

So, I stayed consistent, made a study plan that suited me, and always asked questions. But above all, I prayed and trusted God. My daily routine at Law School was very strict. I woke up early to study before going to class. I got to class hours before it started so I could read.

After class and group meetings, I went to the library and stayed until around 6 p.m. By 7:15 p.m., I was back in my study room until midnight. I also made time for group discussions each day.

That was my weekday routine. On weekends, I also had a tough study schedule. There’s no magic trick. It was all about planning, managing my time well, and working hard.

Did you face any difficult subjects or ever doubt yourself while at the university?

I don’t think I had one subject that was too hard, but there were many difficult topics across different subjects that made me doubt myself sometimes. But I always told myself that the only difference between something being difficult and easy is understanding. Once I understand it, it becomes easier.

When I faced tough topics, I gave them extra time. I read them many times, talked to my lecturers and classmates, and used online resources. After a while, those hard topics didn’t seem hard anymore.

Was there any time during Law School when you realised you were on track to be the best?

When I got into the Nigerian Law School, my goal was to graduate with a First Class and maybe win a few prizes. Even though I had a perfect CGPA at the university, I was only hopeful about making a First Class. But as time went on and different things happened, I started to believe I could be the best.

One of those moments was when I used an app called LawSchoolPaddi, created to help students prepare for the Bar Finals. They had a weekly quiz, and I kept topping the leaderboard week after week.

That, along with how I answered questions in class, made people believe I had a real chance of becoming the Best Graduating Student. My colleagues even started calling me “BGS.” That was when I made the decision to truly work towards it. 

You emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student out of over 7,000 candidates. How does that accomplishment feel?

It feels humbling and almost unreal. Being named the best out of more than 7,000 candidates is still something I’m trying to process. It wasn’t just a personal win; it was a reward for all the late nights, the tears, the prayers, and the decision to keep pushing even when I felt like giving up.

It feels great, but I also know that it comes with responsibility. This isn’t the end; it’s the beginning. I want to use this achievement to make an impact in the legal field and beyond. This success isn’t about arriving; it’s about starting a journey with greater purpose.

What sacrifices did you have to make in this journey that most people don’t see or talk about?

At the start of Law School, I told myself that I wouldn’t spend time on my usual hobbies. Studying became my new hobby. The discipline and hard work I put in were clear, and many people noticed it. But one of the biggest sacrifices I made, which people don’t often talk about, was my time.

I was a group leader and was involved in almost every activity. While others had time to relax, socialise, or explore other interests, I had to stay focused on reading, studying, and preparing for the Bar Finals, while managing my group’s responsibilities.

There was hardly any break.

Law School is demanding, not just academically but emotionally. There were moments of self-doubt, burnout, and loneliness, and trying to stay excellent while carrying everyone’s expectations wasn’t easy.

But these personal battles usually remain behind the scenes.

Despite that, I wouldn’t change anything about the journey. It taught me self-discipline, empathy, and the importance of finding balance. Those lessons are just as important as anything I learnt in law.

What role did mental health, faith, or emotional support systems play during this demanding period?

There were times when I felt overwhelmed by the workload and scared of failing. In those moments, my faith gave me strength. It reminded me that I wasn’t going through it alone and that there was a bigger purpose behind the stress. Praying, reflecting, and taking time to breathe helped me stay calm.

My emotional support system, my family, friends, and especially my study group, made a big difference.

Law School can make you feel very lonely, but having people with the same vision helped me stay motivated. We shared the ups and downs together, and that made the journey easier and more meaningful. Despite the challenges, I stayed grounded because of my faith and the people around me.

How did you manage pressure, distractions, and self-doubt, especially knowing how competitive Law School is?

Dealing with pressure, distractions, and self-doubt was one of the hardest parts of Law School, but I learnt a lot from it. First, I blocked out all distractions. I focused only on what I was doing at the time and what I needed to do next. I tried not to think too much about the end result but instead paid attention to my daily progress.

I created a routine that helped me stay organised and focused. I stayed away from social media, turned down invitations to go out, and tried to stay disciplined. In Law School, it often feels like you’re not doing enough. What helped me was reminding myself that everyone’s journey is different.

I stopped comparing myself to others and focused on doing better than I did yesterday. I also used affirmations, prayed, and spoke with people who reminded me of my strengths when I felt weak.

In the end, I accepted that pressure and doubt are part of growth. Instead of avoiding them, I faced them with discipline, faith, and support. That mindset helped me not just survive Law School but grow through it. 

Can you tell us how many awards you’ve won so far, and which of them means the most to you?

At the Call to Bar, I won 18 awards. While at the Lagos Campus, I won six and received four external awards. This is in addition to the many awards I had prior to the Nigerian Law School. Of them all, the Council of Legal Education Star Prize means the most to me. This is due to how the prize was given. The prize was also given to me with my parents on stage. I was nearly moved to tears.

How did your family react to this achievement?

For them, it wasn’t just about the award or the title. It was the result of years of sacrifice, prayers, and belief. They saw all the sleepless nights, missed family moments, and emotional struggles.

So, when the reward came, it meant so much more. We had a lot of calls, messages, and celebrations, but what stood out most was the deep pride and shared sense of fulfilment.

What is your CGPA?

I graduated with a 5.0.

Do you think our legal education system prepares students for the realities of legal practice?

Our legal education does a good job when it comes to theory. We learn the principles of law, how to study cases, and how to think like lawyers. But when it comes to practical experience, like managing clients, handling courtroom procedures, understanding the business side of law, or using technology, there’s still a gap.

Thankfully, things are improving. Internships, competitions, and seminars are helping students prepare better. But more needs to be done. We need to include more real-world learning, mentorship, and practical training in the school system.

Law students shouldn’t just graduate; they should graduate ready for the practical aspect. 

If you had the power to reform one thing in Nigeria’s legal education, what would it be?

If I could change one thing, I would include practical training and mentorship in the main curriculum, not just at Law School, but from the university level. Right now, practical experiences like Moot Court and Legal Clinics are treated like side activities. Only a few students benefit from them.

If they become part of the actual curriculum, every student will have access, and we’ll produce more complete and ready lawyers. Some universities have already started doing this. We just need more schools to follow suit.

PUNCH