Prof Oyewunmi assumes office as 20th dean of UNILAG faculty of law

Under Sanni’s visionary leadership, the Faculty of Law achieved unprecedented milestones across governance, academic development, research output, infrastructure, and international collaboration.

A cornerstone of the outgoing administration was its deliberate strategy to expand the faculty’s international footprint. Key global partnerships launched during Sanni’s tenure include:

• The UNILAG–University of Dundee Dual LL.M. Programme: A cross-border academic partnership offering law students access to global legal education and dual credentials.
• The Women in Legal Academia (WiLAC) Project: An impactful initiative designed to foster mentorship, gender equity, and scholarly development among female legal academics.

The academic calibre of the faculty’s students reached extraordinary heights during this period. Notably, UNILAG law students clinched victory at the 2026 World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) IP Moot Court Competition, outperforming teams from over 200 prestigious law schools worldwide.

Demonstrating the continuity of leadership within the faculty, the victorious championship team was co-coached by Professor Oyewunmi alongside her colleagues in the Intellectual Property department.

Furthermore, the faculty maintained an exceptional record of academic excellence at the Nigerian Law School bar examinations.

UNILAG produced a staggering 43 First Class graduates in 2025 and followed up with 34 First Class graduates in 2026, alongside dominant performances in various national and international advocacy competitions.

Structural Modernisation and Alumni Engagement

Beyond academic achievements, Professor Sanni’s tenure witnessed unprecedented infrastructural modernisation, primarily driven by strategic public-private partnerships and enthusiastic alumni support.

Recognising the vital role of institutional stakeholders, the outgoing administration prioritised alumni engagement.

These efforts led to the successful drafting and adoption of a constitution for the proposed Faculty of Law Alumni Association, laying the groundwork for a structured Alumni Relations and Advancement Office designed to secure long-term philanthropic support for the institution.

As Professor Adejoke Oyewunmi steps into her new role as Dean, expectations across the legal community and academic ecosystem are exceptionally high.

Stakeholders anticipate that her rich combination of specialised expertise, proven coaching prowess, and deep institutional knowledge will enable her to seamlessly consolidate the achievements of her predecessor.

With legal education undergoing rapid transformations globally due to technology and global commerce, Professor Oyewunmi’s tenure promises to position the University of Lagos Faculty of Law at the forefront of legal innovation, research excellence, and institutional prominence across Africa and beyond.