Navigating the process of becoming a law student at university

Read this article on an interview conducted by Adebodun Sulaimon to find out about A.A SANNI, a current first-year law student at the Lagos State University, on his journey to the faculty of law at Lagos State University. The interview was conducted with the purpose of creating awareness of what law students encounter, during their journey into law.

Here is the interview that was conducted by Sulaimon:

What was your journey into the faculty of law at Lagos State University like?

At the start, I wanted to study at Olabisis Onabanjo University (OOU) right from when I completed my O-level examination. I then registered for my Jamb examination and registered for OOU.

After my examination, I changed my school of choice to Lagos State University, the rationale behind this is based on personal issues and ideas from my father especially. Then after the completion of the Jamb examination, which I shined through, I waited to see if I got onto the admissions list. After the first batch of names came out on the merit list for law I was not on the list. I then waited again and was still not on the second batch of names. Fortunately, just as I was making the choice to re-register for the Jamb examination, my name was added to the final batch of names to study law at Lagos State University.

In the course of this journey, did you encounter any challenges?

Yes, I did indeed. After the difficulties in the process of gaining admission to study law, I personally thought that was all the difficulty I would be encountering, not occurring to me that I have a huge challenge coming up. Anytime I remember this I smile, even though it was something that could’ve jeopardized my admission. When asked to upload my Jamb admission letter, which was a requirement for a process called clearance, I realized that although I was admitted on the school portal my admission was not visible on the Jamb portal. Unfortunately, I had not been admitted by Jamb yet, I visited the admissions office countless times but to no avail. To cut it short, I was on the verge of losing my admission after being admitted by the school and after paying all my fees.

One day, the lecturer came to my class, and said “not all of us will be certified law students, some will be changed to other courses and departments he said.” Those words pierced my heart, and I started checking the portal daily, to make sure that I am not removed from the law course. Around 50 of my course mates had been taken off the course as they couldn’t progress and be enrolled due to not having their Jambs admission letters. To cut it short, I began to lose hope and several thoughts popped into my head, what if my course was eventually changed? It got to the point where I was literally having nightmares of me being removed from the course.

I did eventually manage to get the admission letter, but it was one hectic experience.

I can’t imagine what it must have been like during these dark times. How did you steer yourself during the period and how did you proceed to handle it?

It was tough. But all I could do was be positive, even when I would lose my positivity, I would think about my mum’s words on the very day I got my admission into law school. I had faith in God in addition to my resilience and I believed I would secure my admission.

What motivated you to want to study law and why did you decide to study it at Lagos State University?

I will reiterate that my rationale behind selecting the Lagos State University, faculty of law, was borne out of personal issues and ideas from my Dad. In regard to what motivated me to study law, I started developing an interest in law since I was young, due to inspiration from my uncle being a lawyer and seeing him in the profession. Just like him, I want to be the voice of the voiceless. He was a student of the prestigious faculty of law, at Lagos State University and he graduated in 1999/2000.

Ever since you began this journey, do you feel fulfilled?

Partly fulfilled because I have this feeling I’m getting closer to my set goals and ambitions and on the right track. I would even say beyond partly, I got to appear in my chambers intra moot competition and I can subjectively define what advocacy is and what the profession entails.

Have you encountered any difficulties since you have been conferred to habitually dress in white and black, and what steps have you taken to quench them? Any comments on the habitual white and black dress? (Note: dressing in white and black is the uniform for law students at the facualty of law and indicates respect)

No, I have not encountered any difficulties with this since becoming a law student. Even if there were any difficulties, I would proudly overcome them because studying law is a dream which is coming true right now. I believe my resilience, would trample on anything negative or wrong coming my way. On the same note, I must state that I love the dress code, because it’s simple and I am very comfortable and free when putting it on.

Do you have any comments for people who wish to study law and are finding it difficult to get into a law institution?

Determination is key to one’s set goal. We need endurance, faith and hard work to achieve our dreams. For me, it was getting into law or nothing else.