It gives us great pleasure to announce the successful recipients of the 2026 Credence Nigerian Law School Scholarship, awarded to a selected group of exceptional law graduates whose academic distinction, leadership and commitment to the legal profession set them apart. The scholarship supports these outstanding graduates as they proceed to the Nigerian Law School and continue their journey in the legal profession.
Meet our Scholars:
Hawwau Mustapha
A law graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Hawwau Mustapha combines academic excellence with a deep commitment to advocacy and service. She graduated as the third-best student in her faculty while overcoming financial challenges with determination and resilience.
Hawwau’s dedication to justice extends beyond the classroom. She excelled in the All-Africa Rounds of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Moot 2025, emerging as the second overall best oralist, and contributed to community advocacy through her roles with International Federation of Women Lawyers and Amnesty International Nigeria. Her experience as a paralegal at the Public and Private Development Centre provided valuable insight into systemic challenges within Nigeria’s justice system.
Hawwau aspires to a legal career rooted in advocacy, championing access to justice for vulnerable and underserved communities.
Michael Olanrewaju
Michael Olanrewaju, a graduate of Osun State University, distinguished himself by graduating with First Class Honours, as the best graduating law student and as the best in Jurisprudence and Legal Theory. His academic achievements reflect a deep interest in legal philosophy, critical reasoning, and the transformative role of law in society.
Throughout his studies, Michael combined scholarship with leadership, serving as Class Representative, Chief Judge of the Law Students’ Society High Court, and holding key roles in the Equity and Justice Chamber. He earned multiple awards for excellence, including Finalist of the Year recognition.
Michael’s professional ambitions include specialisation in Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property, and the legal regulation of blockchain, cryptocurrency, and Web3 technologies.
Onome Mafeni
A top-performing law graduate of Babcock University, Onome Mafeni graduated with a Second-Class Upper Division, ranking fifth in her set. She was recognised as the Best Graduating Student in Constitutional Law and received the Late Chief Thomas Nwoko Prize for academic distinction.
Onome complemented her academic excellence with professional legal training, gaining experience through internships with Jackson, Etti & Edu, Saffron Dallas Solicitors, and other notable legal institutions. She also earned a distinction in Corporate Secretaryship and Board Dynamics and certification in Domestic Arbitration (UK).
Onome aspires to build a career in corporate law, governance, and dispute resolution, using her legal expertise to enhance access to justice and drive meaningful societal change.
Opeyemi Babalola
A recipient of First Class Honours from the University of Ibadan, Opeyemi Babalola ranked among the top students in her class. She is the recipient of the Colonel Yohanna Madaki Prize for Environmental Law and the Prince Bola Ajibola Prize for Labour Law.
Opeyemi’s leadership and service are exemplary. She served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Press Organisation, reviving the faculty magazine White on Black and leading her faculty to win Best Faculty Press for the first time in over six years. She also served as General Secretary of the Student Council on Legal Aid, gaining professional experience through internships with Olaniwun Ajayi LP and G. Elias & Co.
Passionate about corporate transactions, dispute resolution, and social impact, Opeyemi aspires to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, building a distinguished career that merges legal excellence with meaningful societal contributions.
Boluwatife Ayomikun Akodu
A distinguished law graduate of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Boluwatife Ayomikun Akodu excelled academically, graduating with First Class Honours and ranking as the third best graduating student in her class. Recognised as the best student in Commercial Law, she has demonstrated a remarkable blend of legal acumen and financial insight.
Boluwatife’s passion for finance inspired her to establish a finance-focused business and pursue professional interests in Corporate Law and Investment Banking. Throughout her academic journey, she engaged in leadership and extracurricular roles, including serving as a Judge at the LAWSAN Jurial Court (AAU Chapter), coordinating the Erudite Reading Group, tutoring with the LAWSAN Tutorial Board, and being part of the winning team in the 2022 CLASFON Week of Glory Moot Competition.
We congratulate the recipients of the 2026 Credence Nigerian Law School Scholarship and wish them every success as they proceed to the Nigerian Law School.