Why I chose Oxford over Harvard —Adenike Adekanmbi, lawyer and Oxford scholar

Adenike Adekanmbi is a graduate of the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan (UI), and recently completed a Master of Science (MSc) in Law and Finance (MLF) from the University of Oxford on a fully funded MasterCard Foundation Scholarship in partnership with the Africa Oxford Initiative. In this interview by KINGSLEY ALUMONA, she speaks about her life and studies at Oxford, law and finance, among other issues.

After you graduated from the University of Ibadan law faculty and the Nigerian Law School, did you feel ready to be a lawyer, or did you have other interests?

At that time, I was eager to begin my career. Working as a lawyer was something I had looked forward to for years, and I was fortunate to have launched my career in the Lagos office of a very reputable law firm.

You recently posted on your LinkedIn page that, last year in May, you had a choice to make: a full tuition grant for a master’s degree in law (LLM) at Harvard University in the United States or a fully funded Master of Science (MSc) in Law and Finance (MLF) at the University of Oxford, England. Why did you choose Oxford over Harvard? Looking back now, would you say you made the right choice?

Both schools are in the upper echelon of global education institutions. So, I would have been happy to attend either. However, Oxford edged out Harvard for two reasons — my programme at Oxford was a better fit given my goal of building a more multidisciplinary career, and I received a more comprehensive scholarship package at Oxford that covered all my needs, including tuition and living expenses.

So, yes, I believe I made the right choice. My year at Oxford gave me the multidisciplinary exposure I was seeking and broadened my intellectual and professional horizons.

Beyond academics, the experience also gave me access to a diverse network of people and opportunities that continue to shape my career goals.

Coming from a law background, how were you able to blend well into finance studies and even graduate with a distinction and an award? Was Oxford that easy?

As you can imagine, the finance aspect was initially unfamiliar. I had to consciously orient my mind not to think strictly as a lawyer. It was not easy. However, it was not the hardest thing to do either. I found it reasonably and sufficiently challenging, but still very doable.

Financially and academically, what made your studies at Oxford memorable?

Financially, Oxford was memorable because I never had to worry about funds, thanks to my sponsors. Everything I needed, and even a little extra, was provided. I often joked with my friends that I felt like a trust fund kid. I will always feel a deep sense of gratitude to my sponsors, the Mastercard Foundation and the Africa Oxford Initiative, for making this experience possible. Their support allowed me to fully immerse myself in my studies without financial worries.

Academically, Oxford was stimulating. A few weeks into my programme, someone asked what I was enjoying the most about being in school and what I was finding most challenging. I realised the answer to both questions was the same: the learning. I often caught myself feeling excited about engaging with concepts I had been oblivious to before arriving at Oxford. At the same time, becoming knowledgeable was stressful.

As the saying goes, “The more you know, the more you realise you do not know.” Repeatedly confronting my relative ignorance was not a walk in the park. Yet, I loved the feeling I got when I finally waded through the unfamiliarity and grasped the information. The blessing was also the curse. I enjoy being knowledgeable, but the process can be daunting and not always fun.

You summarised your Oxford experience with a post titled My Year in the ‘Intellectual Disneyland’. What do you mean by ‘Intellectual Disneyland’? Would you use the same title for your University of Ibadan and Nigerian Law School experience?

Disneyland is famously referred to as the happiest place on earth, mainly because you have aggregated in one place — more thrills, adventure, and magical experiences than you could have anywhere else. In the same way, when I referred to Oxford as the Intellectual Disneyland, it was precisely because Oxford has aggregated in one place more intellectual resources than almost anywhere else in the world.

To answer the second part of your question, it would not be a fair comparison to contrast Oxford with either the University of Ibadan or the Nigerian Law School. The circumstances and relevant factors of comparison are vastly different. That said, I deeply appreciate my time at the University of Ibadan, and I think it shaped me in many ways. It may not be an intellectual Disneyland, but even after attending Oxford, I can confidently say that some of the smartest students I have ever met were at the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan.

From the knowledge and skills you have gained studying finance and financial law, what major financial problems in Nigeria would you like to address if allowed to address them?

Off the top of my head, the most obvious is the absence of comprehensive financial data and sophisticated market intelligence platforms. This problem has the greatest impact on the private capital market because investors make projections based on available data. If data is scarce or largely unavailable, investors struggle to make proper risk assessments and must then make more stringent assumptions about the risk profile of a particular venture. This drives up the cost of capital, making it harder for both investors and investees.

At the moment, I know some work is already being done in this regard by the likes of Stears, which is developing a financial database not just for the Nigerian market but for Africa. I am optimistic about these efforts.

You studied at a Nigerian University, and you just finished studying at a prestigious UK university. What three lessons can the University of Ibadan learn from the University of Oxford in terms of teaching, research, and student welfare?

First, on teaching, Oxford places a strong emphasis on interactive and discussion-based learning rather than rote memorisation. That approach encourages students to think critically, develop independent views, and defend them in rigorous conversations. The University of Ibadan could benefit from incorporating more of this style.

Second, in research, Oxford fosters a culture where students and faculty are constantly generating knowledge, not just consuming it. Even at the master’s level, there is encouragement to contribute to ongoing debates in law, finance, and other disciplines. Strengthening research infrastructure and funding at the University of Ibadan would allow students and faculty to make more impactful contributions to scholarship.

Finally, on student welfare, Oxford provides extensive resources to support students’ academic, professional, and personal well-being, from career services to mental health support and a wide range of extracurricular activities. While the University of Ibadan already has a good sense of community, enhancing institutional support structures would greatly enrich the student experience.

Between having a career in law or finance, which one would you prefer now, and why? Where do you see your chosen career and yourself in five years?

Lately, I find futuristic questions difficult to answer. Nonetheless, I think I would build a career that sits at the intersection between both fields as opposed to being strictly in one, but I will have to wait and see.

You mentioned that you received a travel grant that enabled you to visit four cities in Denmark and three in Germany. How would you describe your Denmark and Germany experiences, and which country did you enjoy the most?

I loved visiting both countries, and the experience was enjoyable. I preferred Denmark, though, because it was more serene.

If the Harvard LLM scholarship offer is still on the table, would you take it? Have you thought of going for a PhD programme? Between a law and finance PhD, which would you go for and why?

The thought of a PhD has crossed my mind, and I may pursue one in the future, fingers crossed. If I do, it would be a PhD in law because that would be the best fit given my profile.

What is your advice to Nigerians hoping to study at Oxford on scholarship? What did you do to get into Oxford that they can do better?

I do not think there is a single formula for getting into Oxford, but there are patterns that stand out. Strong academic performance is important, but it is not enough on its own. Admissions committees look for clarity of purpose — knowing why you want the degree, how it fits into your long-term goals, and how you hope to use the knowledge to make an impact. Evidence of leadership, resilience, and a genuine desire to contribute positively to society also goes a long way.

For scholarships, telling your story authentically is just as important as your grades. Show how your experiences, both successes and setbacks, have shaped your perspective and prepared you for the opportunities Oxford provides. My advice would be to focus on building a track record of excellence, seek opportunities that align with your goals, and be strategic in presenting your journey and aspirations.

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