Twenty years after the passing of former Vice-Chancellor, Jelili Adebisi Omotola, the University of Lagos has shifted focus from remembrance to impact, using the anniversary to invest in current students and spotlight legal education.
At a memorial event held at the J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium, the university’s Faculty of Law brought together academics, legal professionals, students, and members of the Omotola family to reflect on a legacy that continues to shape legal scholarship and institutional growth.
Rather than dwell solely on history, the gathering highlighted how the late professor’s influence is being extended into the present. A major highlight was the announcement of a ₦1 million scholarship each for 20 law students, unveiled by his son, Goke Omotola, as part of efforts to sustain his father’s long-standing commitment to mentoring young scholars.
Vice-Chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola, said the university chose to mark the anniversary by reinforcing values associated with the late academic such as excellence, integrity, and service. She noted that his tenure between 1995 and 2000 laid foundations that still support learning and infrastructure development within the institution.
The event also turned into a practical learning platform for students. A moot court session featuring teams from UNILAG and Obafemi Awolowo University tested students’ advocacy and legal reasoning skills, with UNILAG emerging ahead after what judges described as a stronger presentation of arguments.
Speaking at the session, members of the legal panel commended both teams for demonstrating depth and clarity, underscoring the importance of experiential learning in legal training.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wole Olanipekun, who also serves as Pro-Chancellor of the university, described the late Omotola as a “teacher whose influence outlived the classroom,” noting that his impact is evident in generations of legal practitioners.
Beyond tributes, the memorial reinforced a broader message about continuity in education. From infrastructure built during his administration to students now benefiting from scholarships and advocacy training, the university framed the anniversary as a bridge between legacy and present-day learning.
For many students in attendance, the event was less about history and more about opportunity, a reminder that the influence of past academic leaders can still shape futures in very practical ways.
