Last week in Abuja, the ABUAD Chapter of the Law Students’ Association of Nigeria, LAWSAN, emerged victorious in the 2023 Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN’s National Moot Court Competition, further enhancing Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD’s status as the number one university in Nigeria for two consecutive years (2022 & 2023) and number 221 globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
In a competition that included Federal, State, and Private universities from across the nation, many of which are several decades older than ABUAD, the triumph of the 13-year-old university ABUAD Law students becomes even more magnificent.
The current victory of ABUAD does not come as a surprise. Students from the College of Law at Afe Babalola University defeated their counterparts from Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba in the Moot and Mock Trial Competition on April 26, 2017.
The 15 law students embarked on their ascent to fame on April 13, 2023, commencing their preparations for the competition. They persevered until their victory over Ekiti State University, EKSU, on May 27, 2023, which propelled them to the status of State Champions and, as such, qualified them to represent Ekiti State.
The 15 ABUAD Law students, continuing their state-level success, prevailed over Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, Lagos, Osun State University, Osogbo, Lead City University, Ibadan, and Crescent University, Abeokuta, on August 18, 2023. As champions of the advocacy championship, the universities qualified to represent the universities in the South-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria at the event.
Subsequently, on November 13, 2023, ABUAD, University of Jos, Benue State University, University of Calabar, Rivers State University, and Arthur Jarvis University presented arguments in support of both the plaintiffs and defendants. The evaluators tasked with determining which candidates would advance to the finals in Abuja would administer grades to the submitted arguments.
ABUAD emerged first and Benue State University placed second after the evaluation; this result qualified both institutions to compete in the championships.
On November 23, 2023, following approximately one hour of oral argumentation and advocacy, the judges adjourned to their chambers for evaluation. Ultimately, ABUAD was pronounced the victor, based on both merit and points.
Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, Founder and chancellor of the University, expressed his profound delight at the national triumph and extended his congratulations to the Champions, emphasizing that their triumph was merely the start.
Babalola, accompanied by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Smranda Olarinde, and the Provost of the College of Law, Prof. Tunde Yebisi, delivered a congratulatory message in his office. The senior statesman advised the students to perceive their current victory as a catalyst that would propel, inspire, and motivate them toward future accomplishments of greater magnitude.
Finally, he wished his students, as per their customary practice, that they would surpass him in strength and accomplishment.
Olofintila serves as the Corporate Affairs Director for ABUAD.
The 15 ABUAD Law students, continuing their state-level success, prevailed over Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, Lagos, Osun State University, Osogbo, Lead City University, Ibadan, and Crescent University, Abeokuta, on August 18, 2023. As champions of the advocacy championship, the universities qualified to represent the universities in the South-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria at the event.