Hi Kehinde! Could you please start by giving us a background on your legal journey so far in terms of your legal studies and extracurricular experience?
My name is Kehinde Emmanuel Oladele, and I am an undergraduate law student at Ahmadu Bello University. I gained admission at the end of 2019, just before COVID‑19 led to nationwide school closures. We resumed briefly in early 2020, but universities shut down again until 2021.
My legal journey began during that period. In 2020, I interned at the magistrate court in Ogbomosho, Oyo State. In 2022, I moved to Kaduna State, where I learned the basics of Islamic and Sharia law at a chamber in Zaria. After leaving Zaria, I applied to Victoria’s Court and later continued developing my advocacy skills at Awomolo & Associates. These experiences have shaped my understanding of legal practice and strengthened my skills.
Beyond academics, I have participated in debates, writing competitions and legal drafting contests at national and international levels. I have published over 15 articles, 4 academic research papers and several poems.
What challenges have you encountered in your journey, especially in the early stages, and how did you overcome them?
Starting a new journey without prior knowledge comes with difficulties. My first challenge was dealing with feelings of inferiority and superiority among peers. Another was learning how to build meaningful relationships with colleagues and seniors.
I also wanted to leave a lasting impact, and that required consistent effort. Initially, I was reluctant to participate in extracurricular activities, but an international competition on foreign investment disputes changed my perspective. From that point, I embraced opportunities and worked diligently on my grades.
The process is challenging, but the difficulty often validates the progress.
How have you been able to maintain balance in academics and extracurricular activities, including internships?
Balancing both required planning. I realised early on that academic excellence alone would not develop all the skills I needed. I wanted to improve my advocacy, writing, drafting and interpersonal skills, so I created a structured approach to my time.
I avoid procrastination and make a clear list of what I must achieve. I focus on meaningful tasks and work consistently toward my goals. Sacrifice is part of the journey, but I believe it will yield results.
There is a Yoruba saying that guides me: “A stitch in time saves nine” and “Light comes after the tunnel.” These words keep me focused on my academic goals while still developing other skills.
With the skills honed and experience gained, do you think you’ve got all you need?
No. I believe learning never ends. As law students, we constantly strive to improve and remain competitive. I appreciate the progress I have made, but I know there is still much to learn.
I continue studying daily to strengthen my knowledge and prepare myself for the next stage of my journey.
What do you think is the most pressing issue law students encounter, and what tips can you offer?
From a general perspective, law students often face three major challenges:
1. Grade perfection: Many law students aim for top grades. This requires consistent effort and improvement each semester.
2. Extracurricular participation: Some students focus heavily on extracurricular activities to gain recognition and build their profile. This can be overwhelming if not balanced with academics.
3. Networking: Building relationships is essential. Clients and colleagues come from diverse backgrounds, so law students must learn to connect with people beyond academic circles.
Another challenge is the pressure to secure internships at increasingly larger firms each year. This can create anxiety, especially when students compare themselves to peers. My advice is to take one step at a time. Learn as much as possible in smaller environments before aiming for bigger firms. Preparation is key.
Time reveals progress, but it does not replace effort. Law students should focus on thinking big, improving themselves and doing what is necessary at each stage.
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