*As VCs Hail New Nigeria-US Law Schools Partnership, Calling It “Timely And Important
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/8th-Annual-Conference-of-the-Nigeria-ILA.jpg")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
A renowned human rights lawyer and university don, Dr. Victor O. Ayeni, has ignited a sparkling development in the legal education industry in Nigeria by initiating an unprecedented international collaboration which has not only translated to human capacity development for the benefiting schools but has also set the pace for qualitative legal education in Nigeria.
The widely-travelled University of Pretoria trained human rights law expert and Senior Lecturer at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba and Visiting Senior Lecturer at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has passionately taught International Human Rights Law for no fewer than 15 years, particularly with the intention of adequately impacting generations of prospective lawyers, providing pro Bono and legal aid services and championing the rights of the oppressed and vulnerable members of society. Dr Ayeni has worked with the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He was also a Research Associate for Africa under the Human Rights Law Implementation Project (HRLIP), a collaborative research project led by the Human Rights Implementation Centre at the University of Bristol, UK. Dr. Ayeni has also been involved in human rights research projects at the University of Hamburg in Germany.
While staying true to his conviction towards quality education, the renowned lawyer and law teacher struck a distinctive collaboration which tracked two Nigerian universities: University of Abuja and Nasarawa State Universities’ Faculties of Law for the blessing of a fully-funded academic exchange programme with the prestigious University of California, San Francisco. The first activity in the one-year academic exchange program was a week-long event held in July 2024 with the visit of an Associate Dean and Professor of Practice, Prof. Jessica Vapnek, and a subject matter expert and Senior Assistant District Attorney in Alameda County, California, United States, Demarris R. Evans. Highlights of the visit include faculty interactions, , training of trainers (ToT) for lecturers, workshops, class observations and interactions with students.
The Exchange program which has been hailed by the Vice Chancellors of the two universities as “timely and important towards building a culture of academic excellence, potential research collaboration and providing exchange opportunities for students of both Nigerian and American universities.”
The one-year Academic Exchange program is fully sponsored by the United States (US) Embassy in Nigeria. The week-long event commenced at the Nasarawa State University from 1st to 2nd July, 2024, with an enlightening public lecture, titled, ‘Plea Bargaining and Sentencing Guidelines in the Context of Restorative Justice: The US Experience’. The Public Lecturer was anchored by both Professor Jessica Vapnek, the Associate Dean and Professor of Practice from the University of California College of Law and Demarris R. Evans, subject matter expert and Senior Assistant District Attorney in Alameda County, California.
Dignitaries present at the Public Lecture include the Attorney General of Nasarawa State, Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, representative of the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, at least three judges of the High Court of Nasarawa State, representatives of the Emir of Keffi, at least eight magistrates from various magisterial districts in Nasarawa State, lawyers from Lafia and Keffi branches of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), principal officers of the University led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, Deputy Vice Chancellors and the Dean of Postgraduate School, among others.
The program then at the University of Abuja from 3rd to 4th July 2024, where a topic strategic to the security situation of Nigeria was addressed in a public lecture, titled, ‘Combatting Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in Developing Economies’.
While hailing the initiative, Prof. Aishat Maikudi, then Acting Vice Chancellor, now substantive Vice Chancellor of the University, stated:
“Money laundering and terrorism financing are global challenges with profound implications for our nation’s security, economic stability, and societal well-being.”
“These illicit activities not only fuel crimes and corruption but also undermine the very foundations of our legal education and financial system. In this context, the role of lawyers is indispensable.”
Present at the event were representatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), as well as Bwari, Unity and Gwagwalada branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBAA). The US Embassy in Abuja was represented at the event by its Public Diplomacy Officer, Mr. Brian Neubert as well as the Cultural Affairs Specialist, Ms. Ndubuisi Bella Anne. The Public Lecture was followed by faculty interactions with the visiting scholar and subject matter expert, training of trainers (ToT) for lecturers, workshops, class observations and interactions with students.
University stakeholders and participants at the various events called for deepening collaboration between Nigerian universities and universities in the United States. Students and Faculty members that participated in the various activities appreciated the US Embassy in Abuja for supporting the exchange program. Later in the year, lecturers from the two Nigerian universities are expected to undertake a return visit to the University of California College of Law in San Francisco.
A new serial publication with broad title "Civil Litigation Serial" has launched to provide concise resource guide for civil litigation practitioners. The first volumes are now available for purchase through a network of independent booksellers across Nigeria. Call 07051822705 ______________________________________________________________________ Nominations Open For Legal Leaders Awards 2025, Celebrating Excellence In Istanbul ![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Legal-Leaders-Awards.jpg")
______________________________________________________________________
