With a record-breaking haul of 18 prestigious awards, including the Best Graduating Student prize, Ifonlaja Olawale Oluwabusayo has solidified his legacy as one of the most accomplished young legal scholars in Nigeria. An alumnus of NTIC, he emerged as the top graduate of the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, for the 2023/2024 academic year.

Olawale’s achievement is not merely remarkable for its scope but historic in its consistency. Having emerged as the Best Graduating Student (BGS) at every academic level from primary school to secondary school at NTIC, and again at Nile University of Nigeria where he earned his law degree, his latest accolade at the Nigerian Law School cements a long-standing reputation for excellence.

National Recognition at the Call to Bar Ceremony

At the prestigious Call to Bar ceremony, Olawale was celebrated with an overwhelming number of 18 national awards, making him the most decorated graduate of his class. These include:

1. NLS Class of 1978 Prize for Best Overall Student of the Year
2. NLS Class of 1980 Prize for Best Overall Student of the Year
3. Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, KBE, GCON Prize for Best Student of the Year
4. Dr. Taslim Elias, GCON, SAN Prize for Best Student of the Year
5. Justice Atanda Fatai-Williams, GCON Prize for Best Student of the Year
6. Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN Prize for Best Overall Male Student
7. Nigeria Bar Association Prize for Best Overall Male Student
8. Bonnie Jackson Lot Foundation Prize for Best Male Student
9. Hon. Justice Silvanus Ayere Ajuyah, OFR Prize for Most Promising Graduating Student of the Year
10. Sir Darnley Alexander, KBE Prize for Best in Property Law Practice
11. Body of Benchers Prize for Best in Professional Ethics and Skills
12. Hon. Justice Kayode Eso, CFR Prize for Best in Professional Ethics and Skills
13. Chief Idowu Sofola, MON, SAN Prize for Best in Professional Ethics and Skills
14. Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, CFR, SAN Prize for Best in Professional Ethics and Skills
15. Mr. Damian D. Dodo, OFR, SAN Prize for Best in Professional Ethics and Skills
16. Director General’s NLS Prize for First Class Students
17. The Council of Legal Education Star Prize
18. Best Graduating Student, Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus

This rare sweep of multiple prestigious national awards reflects not only academic brilliance but also character, legal insight, and dedication.

Consistency from Classroom to Courtroom

Before arriving at the pinnacle of legal education in Nigeria, Olawale had already demonstrated an unwavering trajectory of success. From Best Graduating Student in primary school, to winning top academic honours at NTIC, and eventually emerging as BGS at Nile University of Nigeria’s Faculty of Law, his academic record is flawless.

This pattern of excellence did not waver during his Law School year. At the Nigerian Law School Lagos Campus, he distinguished himself further in both academic and co-curricular competitions, collecting multiple campus-level recognitions, including:

• 1st Position in the Pre-Bar MCQ Snap Test – Overall (Lagos Campus)
• 1st Position, Snap Test MCQ Lagos Campus
• Certificate of Recognition as Group Leader, Group 10 (2023/2024 Academic Session)
• 2nd Best Counsel, Civil Mock Trial (2023/2024 Academic Session)
• Winner, Civil Mock Trial, NLS Lagos Campus (2023/2024 Academic Session)
• Winner (Gold), Group 10 Lagos – Dr. Odusote Intergroup Football Competition

External Excellence and Nationwide Competitions

Olawale’s exceptionalism extended beyond the walls of the Law School. In various national external competitions, he again proved his mettle, earning laurels such as but not limited to:

• Winner, LawPaddi Battle of the Wigs (Special Edition)
• Highest Points, LawPaddi Battle of Wigs (2024 Season)
• Winner, O&B Apparel MCQ Drill
• 2nd Runner-Up, Noble Imperio Virtual Mock Exam

His participation and dominance across both internal and external contests reaffirm the fact that he is not only an academic high-flyer but also a poised, articulate, and competitive legal mind.