UNILORIN shapes my success- Awoyale
By Tajudeen Babamale
A distinguished legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Oladoyin O. Awoyale, has expressed his immense pride in being associated with the University of Ilorin, describing the institution as the best among the four universities he attended.
Prof. Awoyale made the remarks last Tuesday (July 21, 2026) when he visited the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, ahead of his unveiling as the honouree of the 29th edition of The Jurist, the annual publication of the Law Students’ Society, Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin.
The legal luminary attributed his professional accomplishments to the sound academic and moral foundation he received at the University of Ilorin, thanking God for the University and noting that the values and training it imparted to him had shaped the person he is today.
While observing that many of the lecturers who taught his generation are still actively teaching at the University, Prof. Awoyale said the current students are fortunate to be learning from some of the finest legal scholars anywhere in the world.
Reflecting on his academic journey, the Principal Counsel and Founder of Doyin Awoyale SAN & CO revealed that although he attended four universities, the University of Ilorin remains the best among them. He also praised the dedication and commitment of the University staff to teaching and mentoring students.
He further commended the Faculty of Law for exposing students to accomplished legal practitioners, recalling how eminent Senior Advocates of Nigeria, including Prof. Yusuf Ola-Olu Ali, SAN, regularly interacted with students during his undergraduate days and prepared them for the realities of legal practice by sharing their courtroom experiences.
Prof. Awoyale said the recognition by his alma mater meant so much to him that he postponed another important engagement in order to attend the unveiling ceremony, adding that he remains proud to be associated with the University.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor described Prof. Awoyale as one of the finest products of the University of Ilorin and particularly its Faculty of Law.
He commended the Law Students’ Society for choosing Prof. Awoyale as the honouree of the 29th edition of The Jurist, noting that the recognition was historic because he is the first alumnus of the Faculty to receive the honour.
The Vice Chancellor said that although the University and the Faculty of Law have produced many distinguished alumni and eminent Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Prof. Awoyale stands out among the very best. He described him as highly focused, exceptionally diligent and an accomplished legal practitioner with remarkable depth of knowledge.
Prof. Egbewole noted that there is hardly any greater reward than being honoured by one’s alma mater, adding that the recognition was a testament to Prof. Awoyale’s immense contributions to the Faculty of Law, the Law Students’ Society and the University of Ilorin.
He also congratulated the Law Students’ Society for sustaining The Jurist for 29 consecutive editions, describing the publication as a symbol of excellence and continuity.
According to him, the longevity of the publication reflects the commitment, dedication and shared vision of successive generations of Law students, and he urged the current leadership to preserve the positive legacy for future administrations.
Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Bashir Omipidan, said that the selection of Prof. Awoyale was in line with the University’s commitment to reconnecting with and celebrating its distinguished alumni.
He explained that Prof. Awoyale became the first alumnus of the Faculty of Law to be honoured as The Jurist, describing the decision as a historic milestone for the Faculty and a source of inspiration for current and future Law students.
The Dean added that the recognition reflects the determination of the Faculty to celebrate graduates who have distinguished themselves in legal scholarship, teaching and professional practice while remaining worthy ambassadors of the University of Ilorin.
