Oluwabusayo Olawale Ifonlaja, a graduate of Nile University of Nigeria (NUN), was the cynosure of all eyes at the 2025 Call to Bar ceremonies hosted by the Body of Benchers, where he emerged as the Best Graduating Student nationwide and clinched a staggering 18 top awards.
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Hailing from Odogbolu in Ogun State, Ifonlaja’s name resonated across legal circles as he etched his name into history with a clean sweep of coveted prizes.
A first-class graduate with a perfect 5.0 CGPA from NUN and the institution’s Overall Best Graduating Student in 2023, Ifonlaja carried that excellence forward to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, dominating both academic and extracurricular categories.
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter) ahead of the ceremony, Ifonlaja wrote:
“Less than 24hrs to my Call, and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. From doubting my admission to now joining the largest Bar in Africa, it’s been a journey of silent sacrifices, stretched growth, and answered prayers. Tomorrow, I become a Legal Practitioner.”
His record-breaking haul included:
Call to Bar Prizes:
Here’s a clean and well-structured extraction of the 18 awards won by Oluwabusayo Olawale Ifonlaja at the Call to Bar, reflecting both the awarding institutions and the categories:
- Nigerian Law School Class of 1978 Prize – Best Overall Student of the Year
- Nigerian Law School Class of 1980 Prize – Best Overall Student of the Year
- Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, KBE, GCON Prize – Best Student of the Year
- Dr. Taslim Elias, GCON, SAN Prize – Best Student of the Year
- Justice Atanda Fatai-Williams, GCON Prize – Best Student of the Year
- Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN Prize – Best Overall Male Student of the Year
- Nigerian Bar Association Prize – Best Overall Male Student
- Bonime Jackson Lott Foundation Prize – Best Male Student of the Year
- Hon. Justice Silvanus Ayere Ajuyah, OFR Prize – Most Promising Graduating Student of the Year
- Sir Darnley Alexander, KBE Prize – Best in Property Law Practice
- The Body of Benchers Prize – Best in Professional Ethics and Skills
- Hon. Justice Kayode Esho, CFR Prize – Best in Professional Ethics and Skills
- Chief Idowu Sofola, MON, SAN Prize – Best in Professional Ethics and Skills
- Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, CFR, SAN Prize – Best in Professional Ethics and Skills
- Mr. Damian D. Dodo, OFR, SAN Prize – Best in Professional Ethics and Skills
- Director General’s Nigerian Law School Prize – First Class Students
- Council of Legal Education Star Prize – Overall Academic Excellence
- Best Graduating Student, Lagos Campus
Additional NLS Lagos Campus Honours:
- 1st Place – Pre-Bar MCQ Snap Test (Overall Campus)
- 1st Place – Snap Test MCQ, Lagos Campus
- Certificate of Recognition – Group Leader, Group 10
- 2nd Best Counsel – Civil Mock Trial
- Winner – Civil Mock Trial
- Winner (Gold) – Dr. Odusote Intergroup Football Competition (Group 10)
External Achievements:
- Winner – LawPaddi Battle of the Wigs (Special Edition)
- Highest Points – LawPaddi BOW 2024
- Winner – O&B Apparel MCQ Drill
- 2nd Runner-Up – Noble Imperio Virtual Mock Exam
Ifonlaja was not alone in his accomplishments. Maryam Abiodun Lawal won the Mrs. Olufunke Adekoya SAN Prize for Best Female Graduating Student and topped the Corporate Law Practice category. Obinna Augustine Onyichi received the Mrs. H. A. Balogun (OON) Special Prize for Best Graduating Physically Challenged Student, while Temitayo Victoria Ojuko and Daniella Chisom Okangba were awarded for Best in Criminal and Civil Litigation, respectively.
Over 260 new wigs were celebrated for achieving First Class in the Bar Finals and received awards sponsored by the Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN.
In his keynote address, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, congratulated the new wigs and encouraged them to walk in excellence:
“It’s a new beginning of your life, it’s a brand-new endeavor and I wish you get what you dream for and achieve lots of success. May God bless you with strength and determination and prepare you for the unseen future.”
Ifonlaja’s inspiring journey from modest beginnings to becoming Nigeria’s most celebrated young lawyer has sparked admiration across the legal community, symbolizing what is possible through dedication, discipline, and grace.
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