He failed to secure admission at the University of Ilorin on different occasions, but graduated as the best Student in Law, University of Abuja ’24 set – Aare Lawal Farouq Ayobami, First Class and BGS . The First ever UNIABUJA Student President to achieve the feet.
Aare Lawal Farouq Ayobami, a student, politician, academic magician and first-class graduate from the prestigious University of Abuja, bears the divine touch of dynamism and extraordinary ability to multitask. In this chat with Aare F.A Lawal, he takes us through the thrilling highs and crushing lows of his academic journey, revealing the driving forces that ignited his passion, the obstacles he faced, and the invaluable lessons that shaped his remarkable success.
Congratulation on your amazing achievement!
What made you to study law?
Sincerely, at the onset I never wanted to study law! I had always wanted to be a poet or song writer but my parent, particularly my Dad never stopped counselling me on the need to obtain a degree in a professional course like law. Consolidating the reality in present day Nigeria with the little experience (4 years) I spent at home trying to lay my hands on law admission in University of Ilorin, the desire like good music began to grow in me.
To cement this desire, in 2016, I stumble upon a post on Twitter (now X) where a user on the flatform was reviewing the profile of two grate legal practitioners and their contribution to the legal profession, namely Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN and Dr. B.O. Babalakin, OFR, SAN. After consuming the greatness of this reputed personage in words, I was inspired and goose bumped and from there henceforth the love for law deepened like never before.
What made you Choose UNIABUJA?
Factually, UNIABUJA was an emergency option because for the initial 4 years before my admission in 2019 I had always put UNI-Ilorin as my first choice. The 5th Jamb, I chose UNILAG but I was told the chances of getting admission was a 70% impossibility and 30% possible. Threaten by this, I opened up to the IT man that was helping with my registration and he recommended UNIABUJA.
Acting on his advice, I did a change of institution and by the grace of God on the 22nd November, 2019 around 10pm while I sat on the toilet sit in my father house in Lagos, the admission notification came in on my phone. It was one of the happiest days of my life!
How did that Choice align with your background?
My siblings and I grew up in an environment where our parents prioritize professional courses over the non-professional because my father in particular, he never had the opportunity to do a professional course due to finance constraints and there was no one during his time to guide him on the advantages of professional courses as oppose to others. This affected my mentality towards the choice of course and UNIABUJA giving me admission into the faculty of law was a dream come through.
So, what was your experience at UNIABUJA like?
I won’t lie, it was challenging and interesting at the same time. Filled with lessons, regrets and opportunities and networks made through good relationships. In School, I was politically involved, a social butterfly and also academic driven. My earliest challenge was balancing all three because that’s my life. What help me a lot was that before I came into the University, I had a target and I developed a mechanism that helped me reach that goal. One of such mechanism was teaching others and typing my notes and making them available to all students. Also, before I forget, another mechanisms was covering my syllabus before resumption – I stay back in school while others go home.
Academically, I was very active in my 100L but I did not get my targeted result as I had a 4.36 and 4.65 G.P.A in my first and second semester respectively. In gross, it was a 4.50.
I was not happy because it was a narrow escape. One of the most painful experience was a course where I scored 69, just a mark to an A (70). My 200L was one of the toughest years for me in the university, as I officially kickstarted my underground permutation for my presidency of my student association in 500L. Balancing social activities, political activism with my academic target was so challenging as I once again narrowly escaped with a 4.55 and 4.45 G.P.A in my first and second semester respectively. In gross, it was a 4.50 GPA again.
Going into my 300L, I knew it was time to re-strategize, thus, rather than just reading and study for exams, I started making Notes for each of the courses I offer. Making these notes helped my remembrance and understanding of the topics better. If not for a course that I was graded (59) C, I almost made all A’s in my first semester. I made a 4.63 and 4.60 first and second semester respectively.
In gross, I improved and realized that the new strategy was working for me. 400L which every one dreaded so much was my best year in the university. I made a 4.52 and 4.68 first and second semester respectively. During this time, I was preparing for my election for presidency but despite being politically active, I never left it affect my academic performance again.
By the grace of God, I won the election and I became president. In my 500L, I had presidential duties on my shoulder with so much expectation from my administration. Allah was faithful as I delivered one of the greatest if not the greatest LAWSAN administration in the past 20 years of association. My academic did not surfer for it as I made a 4.63 and 5.0 GPA first and second semester respectively.
During the time of my administration as president, I was able to make some historic move like hosting the LAWSAN legal year in honour of Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN; hosting the LAWSAN debate competition in honour of J.J Usman, SAN; hosting the LAWSAN Moot Competition in honour of Dr. B.O Babalakin, OFR, SAN; hosting the LAWSAN Mock Competition in honour of Mr. A.U Mustapha, SAN; hosting the LAWSAN Pen Legal in honour of Aliyu Ibrahim Lemu, SAN; hosting and publishing the LAWSAN Dinner and Journal in honour of Mr. Adewale Tinubu, CON (CEO of Oando); publishing the LAWSAN Magazine in honour of Senator Akpoti Natasha and closing of the LAWSAN legal year in honour of Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN. One of the biggest achievements of my leadership was the donation a solar powered podium-sound system that was installed in the faculty auditorium.
Another unique experience which I could say inspired me to give my total best in my final examination was my interaction and success story of Prof. Damilola Olawuyi, SAN. The Silky Professor was the Law President in his undergraduate years at Ighinedon University and he made a 1st class in his LLB and at the Law school. He later become the youngest law professor and the second youngest legal practitioner to be elevated to the rank of senior advocate of Nigeria at the age of 37.
Looking Back, is there anything you would have done differently?
Sincerely, I wish I had applied UNIABUJA much earlier during the 4 years search of admission in the University of Ilorin. I will say that’s my only regret but Alhamdulilahi Allah knows the best.
As a First Class graduate, what advice do you have for students aiming for academic excellence?
Sincerely, my advice is from something my Mum and Dad used to tell me “No man in history who did the extraordinary who never at a point doubted himself but what matters is the willingness to keep going on despites the uncertainty”. In my journey, I kept on pushing forward even though it seemed uncertain.
At some point I had courses were I was graded a D and several course where I scored 59 and it was just 1 mark to make it a B (particularly in my 200L and 400L).
So my advice will be, have a target and develop a strategy that works well for you and pursue your target without any iota of tiredness – Do it even when you are afraid!
How has your degree prepared you for your career, and what are your goals?
Law is one of those field that propels and give you knowledge and gateway into other field because there is law of everything and everything is regulated by law. Law attracted me to areas like Energy and Natural Resource Industry, Fintech Industry, Entertainment and Creative Industry and Property Investment Industry.
At the moment, the goal is to also make a 1st class at the Law School and the same year put in for my masters.
In terms of long term, the goal is to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a professor of Entertainment law and a captain in the fintech Industry. I might venture into politics but not too certain on that at the moment. Using all of this goal to contribute to the African community and the globe at large.
University Life often comes with memorable experience. Could you share a moment that stands out as particular impactful during your time on campus?
Sincerely, there were lots of memorable days as a law student but the most iconic of them all was the day I got to meet with Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, CFR and Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, MFR at an event in Abuja. It was one of the happiness days of my life and a dream come through for me. That moment further rooted my desire to pursue my career in law the more.
Were there times you felt like giving?
Definitely there were trouble times, like when a GST course graded me D and C in my 200L, I almost lost my mind but the particular encouragement of my friend Akabi-Hakeem Aramide restored my concentration on my goal that year.
What Role did Family, friends or your support system play in your success?
Sincerely, this journey won’t have been easy without the financial and emotional support of my parents Mr. S.A Lawal and Mrs. T.M Lawal. I owe my existence to them. My Uncle, H.K. Lawal and my syblings have been vary supportive to the dream.
Course mates who turned friend and later family also played a pivotal role in my success. Persons like Alhaji Rufai Tayo, Mr. Raheem Akingbolu, Agbebi Henry, Idris Aisha, Abunwa Oscar, Akanbi-Hakeem, Daniel Dolapo, Aisha Yusuph, Olokun Charles Pelumi, Ater Solomon, Kaffo Emmanuel, Sani Adavide and others. My girlfriend Aisha Idris who has been with me for moe than 5 years also play a pivotal role in this journey.
Were you into any business while in school?
While in school I basically do consultancy, like helping students make research, write projects, house searching and my most favourite, organizing ticketed parties for students. I really enjoy parting. Like they say, all works and no play make lawal a doll boy.
Are individual within and outside the legal profession that inspire you to become the greater you?
Yes of course. Just to name a few, My Dad, Mr. S.A Lawal, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, CFR, Mr. Wale Tinubu, CON, Prof. Damilola Olawuyi, SAN, Mr. Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, Dr. B.O Babalakin, SAN, Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN, Bar. Pelumi Olajengbesi, ESQ and Mr. Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (aka Wizkid), Mr. Ade Oshodi, ESQ, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, MFR, MR. A.U Mustapha, SAN and Cristiano Ronaldo Dos Santos Aveiro, GOIH, ComM (CR7).
Beyond Academics, what value or life lessons did you learn that have shaped who you are today?
The lesson I learnt in school is that as a law student, creating and investing in the good and productive relationships with other students can give you an edge after school. I often tell my law colleagues that are always proud and belittle students who are not from law faculty that ‘law students are your future competitors but students from other faculties are your potential clients’, thus, they should not use today to destroy tomorrow.
What advice do you have for the new graduates?
My advice to graduate of ’24 across all Universities in Nigeria is they should be patient and optimistic and not be too stressed by the stereotypical assertion that there is no job out there. I will recommend that they give the first 5 years after school to upgrading and preparing themselves for employability to their dream job or industry. Learn, unlearn and relearn! Money will come! Be hardworking and never forget to put everything in the hands of the Almighty as you fasten your belt of consistency in the face of adversities. As you shoot for the moon, even when you fail you will definitely take your place amongst the stars!