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•Family awards N20m scholarships to students
By Gabriel Dike
Twenty years after his death, the former Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, from 1995 to 2000, Prof. Jelili Adebisi Omotola came alive as his family, Faculty of Law and friends gathered to remember and celebrate him.
At the University of Lagos Faculty of Law 20th posthumous commemoration of Prof. Omotola, his accomplishments in the field of legal education, especially on Land and Property Law, were acknowledged by the university management and others.
The family used the occasion to award scholarships to 20 Law undergraduates to help their studies and execute two projects in the faculty.
Addressing the gathering, UNILAG Vice Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola said the occasion is meant to honour the memory of a towering figure in the history of the institution and the legal profession – Professor Jelili Adebisi Omotola, SAN, and the 7th VC of the university from 1995 to 2000.
“It has been 20 years since his transition, yet we are here to remember him as his legacy continues to illuminate our path and inspire generations of scholars, practitioners, and leaders.
“Prof. Omotola, a distinguished academic and Senior Advocate of Nigeria; was a visionary whose contributions to legal education and university administration remain indelible. His tenure was marked by courage, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. He believed deeply in the transformative power of education and worked tirelessly to position this university as a beacon of knowledge, integrity, and service.
“Today’s remembrance is both a solemn reflection and a celebration of his enduring impact. The events marking this occasion—the Inter-universities Moot Court competition, the scholarship awards, and the launch of the LL.M Alumni Body—are fitting tributes to a man who devoted his life to nurturing talent, advancing scholarship, and strengthening the foundations of justice.
“Yet, I cannot help but think with interest that the current dynamics of land ownership and land use in Nigeria would have intrigued him as a foremost lawyer and Professor of Land and Property Law. His academic acumen and influence in Land and Property Law can be seen from his analysis and critiques on the Land Use Act of 1978 from his Essays on the Nigerian Land Use Act 1978 among many works.”
Ogunsola added that Omotola produced edited works with legal luminaries such as A.A. Adeogun and Judge Taslim Olawale Elias and his entire body of work spanned four decades. She also revealed that there have been publications on his works, which shows the influence he has made on the legal profession.
She said Omotola pushed for improvements in research, academic excellence, and service delivery, noting that his tenure also brought the development of the Multipurpose Halls, now named the Jelili Adebisi Omotola Halls, the Faculty of Law Annex, Postgraduate Office, among several other structures which are continued use to this day.
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According to her, the late VC used his expertise in Land and Property Law to create opportunities for staff housing which reflects the current need to use one’s expertise not just for research but to bring solutions to problems in society.
Chairman, Governing Council of UNILAG, Chief Wole Olanipekun, said many young lawyers saw him as a role model and wanted to be like him, adding, “he used us and we used him.”
Olanipekun further revealed that young lawyers saw him as a mirror and looked up to him in the legal profession.
He acknowledged that Omotola faced many challenges and he stood by him as well as defended him in a particular case in court.
He commended Omotola’s children for remembering and honouring their father, stating, “let us continue to celebrate Omotola even in death. Most people are not remembered after their death.”
In his remarks, Dean of Faculty of Law, Prof. Abiola Sani, recalled that the plan for the 20th posthumous commemoration of Prof. Jelili Omotola started with several discussions with the children.
Sani described the commemoration as a 3- way- event, the clinical legal education session with a Moot and Mock trial session, presentation of scholarship awards and commissioning of the renovated and upgraded of Department of Private Property Law and L.L.M lecture room undertaken by the family and friends.
The dean acknowledged the contributions of Prof. Omotola to the Law faculty and land and private property law in the country. He lauded the children for honouring their father with the posthumous commemoration, award of scholarships and renovation of two vital projects in the faculty.
One of his sons, Adegoke Omotola said the family missed their father and the scholarship awards; renovation of projects and the posthumous commemoration was part of their commitment to keeping his legacies alive.
He acknowledged that UNILAG shaped his dad’s life, his investment in legal education and that the scholarship awards to 20 students are the family’s commitment to honouring him.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of N1million each to the 20 students drawn from 100 to 500 levels, cash awards to winners of the Moot court trials and awards to the three judges.
