Israel Adekunle Adeniyi, a graduate of University of Ilorin has emerged as the best graduating student at the Nigeria Law School (2025/2026 session) during the 2026 Call to Bar ceremonies hosted by the Body of Benchers.
Israel Adekunle Adeniyi completed his Bar Part II programme at the Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School before emerging as the overall best graduating student.
His latest feat came after an equally impressive undergraduate career at the University of Ilorin, where he graduated as the best student in the Common Law programme with a cumulative grade point average of 4.83.
Following his achievement, the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation honoured him with a ₦2 million cash award in recognition of his outstanding academic performance.
Overall best graduating students
Israel Adekunle Adeniyi – Overall Best Graduating Student
* University of Ilorin (Common Law)
* Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus
Chiamaka Happiness Modestus – Joint Female Best Graduating Student and Joint Second Overall
* Igbinedion University, Okada
Adetutu Loren Gomez – Joint Female Best Graduating Student and Joint Second Overall
* University of Lagos
Timilehin Adebayo – Joint Third Overall
Freedolyn Ani – Joint Third Overall
* Obafemi Awolowo University
Course leaders
Several graduates also emerged as the best students in the core professional law courses offered during the Bar programme.
They are:
* Civil Litigation: Ifeoluwa Ajaiyeoba
* Professional Ethics: Ogechi C. Ifezie
* Criminal Litigation: Timilehin Adebayo
* Corporate Law: Emmanuel Oyelami
* Property Law: Francis Obiahu Alu
Individual course prize winners
The Nigerian Law School also presented first, second and third prizes to students who excelled in the core Bar Part II courses.
Criminal Litigation
* First Prize: Timilehin Adebayo J. – Abuja Campus (University of Lagos)
* Second Prize: Oluwatomisin Daniel P. – University of Ilorin
* Third Prize: Happiness Modestus C. – Port Harcourt Campus (Igbinedion University, Okada)
Corporate Law
* First Prize: Emmanuel Oyelami T. – Abuja Campus (University of Ibadan)
* Second Prize: Ndukwu Chibundom K. – Yenagoa Campus (Nnamdi Azikiwe University)
* Third Prize: Israel Adeniyi A. – Lagos Campus (University of Ilorin)
Property Law
* First Prize: Francis Obiahu Alu – Lagos Campus
* Second Prize: Victoria Sogade A. – Enugu Campus (University of Lagos)
* Third Prize: Niniolaoluwa Ilori T. – Lagos Campus (Ajayi Crowther University)
Civil Litigation
* First Prize: Ifeoluwa Ajaiyeoba F. – Abuja Campus (Afe Babalola University)
* Second Prize: Ivy-Mary Eweputanna A. – Lagos Campus (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
* Third Prize: Sandra Idoko E. – Lagos Campus (Father Adasu University)
Professional Ethics
* First Prize: Ogechi C. Ifezie – Lagos Campus (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
* Second Prize: Israel Adeniyi A. – Lagos Campus (University of Ilorin)
The Nigerian Law School also recognised outstanding performances by:
* Victoria Sogade
* Niniolaoluwa Ilori
* Ivy-Mary Eweputanna
* Sandra Idoko
* Oluwatomisin Daniel
* Ndukwu Chibundom
