Nigerian Law Graduate Shatters Records with Unprecedented 18 Awards
LAGOS, NIGERIA – In a historic achievement for Nigerian academia, Ephona Oluabunmi has rewritten the record books, becoming the most awarded law graduate in the nation's history with an astonishing 18 national awards. His remarkable feat was celebrated at the recent Call to Bar ceremony in 2025.
Oluabunmi's name became a recurring refrain during the ceremony, as he collected an unprecedented number of accolades, surpassing all previous records since the Nigerian Law School's inception. His awards include prestigious titles such as the NLS Class of 1978 Prize for Best Overall Student of the Year, the Justice Atanda Fatai Williams Prize for Best Student of the Year, and the Council of Legal Education Star Prize for Best Graduating Student, Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus. He also secured awards for best overall male student, most promising graduating student, and distinctions in specific legal fields like Property Law and Professional Ethics and Skills.
Beyond his national recognition, Oluabunmi also excelled at the highly competitive Lagos campus of the Nigerian Law School. His campus awards include First Position in the Pre-Bar MCQ Snap Test and Best Counsel and Second Best in Civil Mock Trial.
This extraordinary success is attributed not just to natural talent, but to immense discipline and dedication. Oluabunmi reportedly studied for over 10 hours daily, developed unique reading strategies, and actively mentored his peers, all while maintaining humility and faith. His personal mantra, "Success doesn't answer to talent alone. It responds to discipline," evidently guided his journey.
Ephona Oluabunmi's achievement serves as a powerful testament to the potential within Nigerian youth. In a country where academic aspirations often face significant hurdles, his story stands as compelling proof that excellence, hard work, and discipline can overcome obstacles and lead to unprecedented success, signaling hope for Nigeria's future.
