‘For me, making First Class was a deliberate pursuit’

He bagged First Class honours in Law from the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State; and as if to prove a point, he repeated the same feat at the Nigerian Law School. Olanrewaju Kazeem Lawal says he has his eyes on Cambridge University, and subsequently becoming an authority in the legal profession.

Give us a peek into your background

I came from a family of six: four females and two males; and I am the last born of the family. My father (now deceased) was a driver, and my mother was a petty trader. Even though my parents were not rich, growing up was a bit of fun for me.

I attended the Shadow of Almighty Nursery and Primary School in Ajara, and then Ajara Grammar School, Badagry, and then of course, Adekunle Ajasin University and the Nigerian Law School (Kano Campus) for my university education and one year mandatory professional training respectively.

 But why did you choose AAUA for your legal education?

To be candid, prior to choosing Adekunle Ajasin University, I didn’t know anything about the university apart from the fact that my elder brother was there studying Political Science. It was he who eventually influenced my choice of AAUA for my legal studies. Fortunately, after my first year, I realized AAUA is the perfect choice for my legal studies.

First Class in Law; and you did it twice, both at the university and the Law School. How did you pull this off?

Making a First Class was a deliberate pursuit. I was determined from 100 Level to make First Class and I started having a First Class CGPA from, 100 Level, specifically 4.56. Initially, I was told it was not possible because no student had achieved such feat in AAUA Faculty of Law; but in 2012, Mr. Opeyemi Longe blazed the trail. His achievement inspired me, boosted my confidence and raised my hope. I resolved that if he could, I could. And I eventually made it. Then, my next target was to achieve the same feat at the Nigerian Law School. Expectations were high; everyone was simply waiting for me to replicate what I did at AAUA at the Nigerian Law School. I remember vividly that before my final examination at AAUA, one of my lectures, Mr. Ayeni, specifically told me: ‘Kazeem, you should be thinking of a First Class at the Nigerian Law School.” The quality of legal training I received at AAUA also helped me at the Law School.

Your late dad was a driver and your mother was a trader. How challenging was funding your university and Law School education?

Funding my university education was not much of a difficulty because apart from the fact tuition was affordable at AAUA, I really enjoyed the grace of Almighty God. I had very supportive family and friends. I only had difficulty with funding my Law School.

From what do you draw motivation?

Although I cannot deny the fact that so many things motivated me, such as the need to demystify Law and to be an authority in my chosen field, I am largely self-motivated.

Do you have role models in the profession?

I have quite a number of them, but I will mention just few; namely, Professor E. A. Taiwo, Professor Koyinsola Ajayi (SAN), Dr. M. C. Ogwezzy, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, and Mr. Kazeem Gbadamosi

How well did you socialize both at the university or Law School, and how did it affect you?

I had no amorous relationship at the university or the Nigerian Law School, and it was of great assistance to me because I had no emotional issues to deal with. Yes, there were distractions, but what I did was to choose those forms of ‘distractions’ that further helped me. Generally speaking, I participated less in social activities.

Were there low moments?

Yes, I had two, specifically. The first was when I lost my lovely father in 2008 and the second was in 300 Level when I had the worst CGPA; 4.32.

What are your future plans?

My plan is to be an authority in my chosen field through research, active practice and continued legal education. By God’s grace, I am planning to undertake my master’s and doctoral studies at the Cambridge University.