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Lagos State University (LASU) Law Clinic has received a major facelift following the intervention of a group of philanthropists who renovated the facility to provide law students with a more conducive environment for practical legal education.
The project, undertaken in honour of retired Supreme Court Justice George Adesola Oguntade, was initiated by Mr Olugbenga Ajala and supported by friends and associates who shared his vision of giving back to the university community.
Oguntade born March 10, 1940, is a retired Nigerian jurist who served as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from May 19, 2004 to May 10, 2010.
On September 16, 2015, Oguntade was appointed Chancellor of the Lagos State University Governing Council by former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
He later assumed duty of High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Kingdom on October 9, 2017.
Speaking on behalf of the donors, Mrs Afolakemi Ogunde said the initiative was driven by the desire to honour Oguntade, whom Ajala regarded as a mentor and father figure, while also improving the learning environment for law students.
According to her, Ajala was moved to act after learning about the poor condition of the Law Clinic and subsequently reached out to friends who joined him in funding its rehabilitation.
Ogunde said the group had previously renovated an annex lecture hall at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in honour of the retired jurist before extending the initiative to LASU, where Oguntade served as Chancellor in 2015.
“For all of us, this was ultimately about giving back, creating impact and ensuring that students have an environment that reflects the quality of education and professional preparation we want for them,” she said.
She explained that an assessment of the LASU Law Clinic showed that several facilities and amenities had become outdated, dilapidated or non-functional.
Ogunde said the donors subsequently inspected the facility with their contractor, Tosin Adeoye, to determine the scope of work required.
“It quickly became clear to us that the existing environment did not provide the kind of conducive and practical learning experience that law students deserved, particularly in a space intended to prepare them for the realities of legal practice,” she said.
She said the renovation was therefore designed to go beyond cosmetic improvements, with emphasis placed on functionality, clinical learning, practical simulations and professional skills development. Ogunde expressed optimism that the renovated facility would produce better-equipped and more confident law students capable of translating classroom knowledge into professional practice.
“Our hope is that every student who uses the facility will have a better learning experience and leave with stronger practical skills, greater confidence and a deeper understanding of what it means to serve as a lawyer,” she said.
She urged the university and students to take ownership of the facility and ensure its proper maintenance, adding that further interventions would depend on consultations with members of the donor group.
“What I can say, however, is that the impact train is always on the move. Where there is an opportunity to create meaningful and sustainable impact, we will always be open to considering how we can contribute,” she said.
The 40th President of the LASU Law Students’ Society, Mr Emmanuel Sewanu, described the renovation as a major boost to practical legal education. Sewanu said the intervention had restored the Law Clinic to its original purpose as a practical training environment, noting that the facility had previously been used largely for lectures, offices, meetings and other activities.
He said the renovated clinic would provide an opportunity for higher-level law students to establish and register their Students’ Chambers and begin their advocacy journey under the supervision of lecturers responsible for the clinic.
“The Law Clinic will bridge the gap between learning the law and practising the law.
“It will expose students to real-life legal issues while helping us develop skills in legal research, client interviewing, communication, advocacy, problem-solving and professional ethics,” he said.
Sewanu commended the donors for what he described as an investment not only in the facility but also in the education and professional development of generations of law students.
“On behalf of the Law Students’ Society, I sincerely thank our donors for believing in the vision and supporting the transformation of the Law Clinic.
“Their contribution is more than financial support; it is an investment in the future of legal education,” he said. A 400-level law student, Miss Mariam Rasheed, also commended the renovation, saying it had significantly improved the condition of the facility and would make academic and practical activities more comfortable.
Rasheed said some chairs were damaged before the intervention, while ventilation was inadequate and parts of the facility had shown signs of deterioration, including peeling paint.
She said the renovated clinic would provide a better setting for moot court sessions, advocacy training and other academic engagements.
“The renovation has provided a more comfortable and conducive environment for learning and practical legal activities.
“Continued improvement of lecture rooms, ventilation, seating and other learning facilities will further enhance students’ concentration and overall academic experience,” she said.
Similarly, a 300-level student, Mr Israel Omodudu, described the renovation as a significant improvement, particularly the installation of a projector and provision of a modern lectern.
According to him, the facilities would make visual and audio-based learning more effective and expose students to contemporary approaches to legal education.
“The provision of a projector and modern lectern will make learning more practical and engaging. “We also need facilities such as air conditioning and other modern learning tools because the world is increasingly moving towards a digital space,” he said.
Omodudu appealed to other philanthropists and corporate organisations to support further development of the Faculty of Law, saying such interventions could create a lasting legacy for present and future students.
The plaque unveiled at the renovated facility described the project as a tribute to Justice George Adesola Oguntade, a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and former Chancellor of LASU.
It stated that the facility was dedicated by the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Olabode Agoro.
The donors include Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala, Atinuke Abanishe-Ajala, Hon. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, Michael Ojomo, Mustapha O. Ajenifuja, Afolakemi Ogunde, Harrison Agboifoh, Olukayode Adegbola, Kingsley Okpala, Olufemi Oyewole, SAN, Omotayo Oyewole, ESV, Architect Tosin Adeoye, Evaristus Bassey, Adetokunbo Davies, Mobolaji Onimole and Debola Elias. The renovated law clinic is expected to strengthen practical legal education at LASU by giving students greater opportunities to engage with real-life legal issues while developing advocacy, research, communication, client-interviewing and professional ethics skills alongside their academic training.
