“Emerging Best Out of 7,000 Law Graduates Was a Reward for My Resilience” — Oluwabusayo Ifonlaja

Oluwabusayo Ifonlaja, Nigeria’s Overall Best Graduating Law Student in 2025, shares how discipline, faith, and sacrifice shaped his journey to the top.

Early Days and Education

Oluwabusayo Ifonlaja grew up in Ikenne Remo, Ogun State, in a home where good character and academic excellence were top priorities.
“My parents instilled discipline early,” he says. “Education was never negotiable.”

He started at Standard Balogun Model School in Ikenne Remo, where he quickly stood out. “One of my earliest proud moments was topping my class in Nursery 2. I still remember my parents’ excitement.”

By the end of primary school, he had won multiple awards, including ‘Boy of the Year.’ “That was just the beginning,” he says.

Finding a Calling in Law

Oluwabusayo always admired lawyers.
“As a child, I saw lawyers as confident people who stood up for what’s right. Growing up in a place where people’s rights were often ignored, I realised the law was more than textbooks — it could protect and empower people.”

He secured admission to study law in 2018, graduated in 2023, enrolled at the Nigerian Law School in January 2024, sat for his Bar Finals in November, received his results in April 2025, and was officially called to the Bar in July.

Family Support

While he once dreamt of becoming a doctor, an engineer, and even a footballer — the last of which his parents firmly rejected — he knew deep down that law was his path.
“My dad would flog me for sneaking out to play football,” he laughs. “But books were my toys. My room was filled with them.”

His parents were fully invested in his success. “They got me textbooks, checked my homework, and stayed in touch with my teachers. Sometimes, my dad promised me games as a reward — he always kept his word.”

From University to Law School

Adjusting to the pace of the Nigerian Law School was intense.
“I call my first four weeks the ‘weeks of chaos,’” he recalls. “It was fast, tough, and demanded total focus. But Nile University had prepared me well. Discipline, focus, and consistency were what I needed.”

He approached the Lagos Campus with the mindset that it would be challenging but worth it. “They say the Lagos Campus isn’t for the faint-hearted — and that’s true. But I gave it everything.”

A Strict Routine

Oluwabusayo’s daily schedule was built around discipline and prayer.
“I woke up early to read before class. I got to class hours ahead to revise, attended group meetings, then studied in the library until 6 p.m. After dinner, I studied again until midnight. Weekends were the same.”

His approach was simple: consistency, planning, and asking questions.
“There’s no magic trick — just hard work and God’s grace.”

Handling Doubt and Difficult Topics

“I didn’t find any subject impossible, but some topics were challenging. I always believed the difference between difficult and easy is understanding. So I spent extra time, asked for help, and used online resources until things made sense.”

Knowing He Could Be the Best

When did he realise he could top his class?
“I always aimed for a First Class, but I didn’t expect to be the Overall Best. Then I started topping weekly quizzes on the LawSchoolPaddi app and doing well in class. People began calling me ‘BGS’ — Best Graduating Student. That pushed me to go all in.”

Emerging Number One

Standing out among over 7,000 candidates still feels surreal.
“It’s humbling. It was late nights, prayers, tears, and the decision to keep going when I wanted to quit. But it’s not the end — it’s the start of a bigger journey to make an impact in the legal field.”

The Sacrifices Behind the Success

Beyond the obvious hard work, time was his biggest sacrifice.
“Studying became my hobby. I gave up my usual interests, led groups, stayed up late, and rarely relaxed. There was no room for distractions.”

He also dealt with the emotional pressure alone. “There were moments of burnout and loneliness, but those silent battles built my discipline and empathy.”

Faith and Support

His faith and support system carried him through tough days.
“When I felt overwhelmed, prayer reminded me I wasn’t alone. My family, friends, and study group helped me stay strong. We faced the highs and lows together.”

Dealing With Pressure

Law School comes with immense pressure and competition, but Oluwabusayo handled it with discipline.
“I blocked out distractions, avoided social media, and stuck to my routine. I stopped comparing myself to others and focused on daily progress. I reminded myself that pressure is part of growth.”

A Shelf Full of Awards

At the Call to Bar, he received 18 awards, alongside six from campus and four external recognitions. But one stands out.
“The Council of Legal Education Star Prize means the most. Receiving it on stage with my parents nearly brought me to tears.”

A Family’s Pride

For his family, this was a reward for years of sacrifice.
“They saw the sleepless nights and missed family moments. Their pride and fulfilment mean the world to me.”

A 5.0 CGPA and A Call for Reform

He finished with a perfect 5.0 CGPA but believes legal education must evolve.
“Theory is strong, but practical training is lacking. We need more hands-on learning, real-life experience, and mentorship — starting at the university level, not just Law School.”

A Message to Aspiring Lawyers

Emerging best wasn’t magic — it was daily choices, sacrifices, faith, and focus.
“My story shows that resilience pays off — and that the best reward for discipline is growth that never stops.”