EXCLUSIVE: Meet Ewaoluwa Olasoji, The Double First Class Lawyer Who Believes Continuous Growth And Learning Is Essential To Achieving Success

Ewaoluwa Victoria Olasoji is a double First Class lawyer, obtaining first-class degrees from both Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, and the Nigerian Law School. Currently working as an Associate at Banwo & Ighodalo, she has garnered valuable work and research experiences at MTN Nigeria, Curation UK,  the Lex Lata Centre for International Law and Comparative Constitutionalism in Africa, Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative, and Afe Babalola & Co, among others.

She was a delegate at the World Bank Group Youth Summit 2021 and is currently mentoring emerging African entrepreneurs through the Jim Leech MasterCard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship offered by Queen’s University, Canada. She is also a BMGA Fellow (2021), Jim Leech MasterCard Fellow (2022), and Narachi Leadership Fellow (2023). She speaks Yoruba, English, French, and beginner Spanish.

In this exclusive chat with FabWoman, Ewaoluwa Olasoji shares how she achieved a double first-class feat and her future aspirations.

1. What were your fondest memories while growing up?

My fondest memories growing up are of playing chess with my dad and siblings, memories of playing in school playgrounds, and memories of travelling for family parties and holidays.

2. What influenced your decision to study law at the university?

I wanted to become a doctor as a young child, but as I progressed, it was clear that I was more inclined towards art subjects, and law was more suited to my analytical mind. I was the ‘storybook and novel-reading’ type, and a good writer, so law was a natural switch, and my parents supported my career choice. Funny enough, I’m the only person who didn’t study a STEM-related degree in my nuclear family. My parents recognized the individual uniqueness of each of their children and supported us in the realization of our full potential.

3. You are a double first-class graduate of Law both from OAU and law school, Congratulations once again. How did you accomplish this rare feat? What was your reaction when you realised you were making a first class from law school?

Explaining how I achieved this feat is quite a difficult task, but I’m going to try.

First, my faith is an integral part of my life. I am a child of God, and God is indeed the source of all my successes. God was indeed the One behind everything I did that culminated into all that I achieved. In essence, I am one helped by God, and I can boldly and unashamedly say that I am a product of God’s mercy.

Let me tell you a quick story. After my post-UTME exams a few years ago, I decided to commit my exams to God. I wanted to study law, and I needed high scores for this to become a reality. I told God in prayer that I wanted to score above 300/400 in the post-UTME examinations, and I did score above that. This experience strengthened my faith, and I asked God for more. That same evening, I met a senior colleague who narrated her admission story and told me I could ask God for anything. I told God I wanted a First Class, and years later, God has given me double! God ordered my steps all through and led me in His wisdom. I believe it is important to allow what God has done to open you to the realities of what God can do.

Here are some of the practical steps I learned along the way:

First, I was privileged to have interacted with many senior colleagues from my first year in university, from Great Oyiki, Jerry Obans, Faith Oyewale, and many others. I am glad I met them early. They made me understand and believe that graduating with a First Class was possible, even when it was rare. They taught me how to answer law questions and were always open to sharing their experiences with me. I never had an impossibility mindset, and this helped greatly. I think speaking with honest seniors does help a lot. Gleaning from their experiences and mistakes might prevent you from making mistakes of your own. There’s no point in repeating a mistake someone else has made; learning from them is better. One way to learn is by building profitable relationships with senior colleagues and asking a lot of questions. In short, be inquisitive early enough. Most times, there is a pattern that can be followed or a strategy that can be improved upon.

Secondly, I benefitted from having a great mentor. I met my mentor – Mr. Oluwaseun Denagan Esq., towards the end of my first year at university. My church had organized an academic seminar for first-year students, and he was one of the speakers. He was one year ahead of me in the same department and had recorded exceptional grades. I requested his mentorship after the event, and I have learned a lot from him since then. The fact that he was only one year ahead was very advantageous to me because for the next six years after that meeting, through university and law school, I was stepping into shoes a mentor had just left and was armed with all the information I needed. I learned up close from his successes and mistakes, picked up invaluable tips, became compulsorily accountable, and benefited not only from his staunch belief in the fact that I could graduate with a First Class but also from his constant encouragement, guidance, and motivation. I know not everyone may get to benefit from a great mentorship relationship, but I sought one out, and I was lucky. It worked greatly for me.

Third, I studied my books and studied my examiners. A lot of people study their books but do not study their examiners, and I believe that this is a big missing link. I am convinced that 40% of your success in an examination is dependent on knowing what is required of you, while 60% may be based on how well you have studied. For me, I study the courses, and I study my lecturers. I listen with rapt attention in their classes, and their emphases help me see what they prioritize. I study how they set their questions by going through past questions, and I ask senior colleagues to learn about the preferences of specific lecturers in advance. You should not approach all your courses the same way. Your findings should influence your pattern of answering questions.

Lastly, I always try to do things a little differently. As you might already have guessed, I go the extra mile and, sometimes, the ‘extra extra’ mile. I seek out creative and safe ways to make myself unforgettable. If a quote is mentioned in class, I’d take notes, highlight, and expand on it. If we are to submit a handwritten assignment, I ensure that I don’t just submit bland sheets of paper, I find a presentable file to give my work a ‘face-lift’. My typed assignments are always well formatted, with graphical representations of my thoughts, and are generally more presentable. (I learned this from Jerry Obans). Little as they might seem, you will always see my intentionality. For handwritten tests and examinations, I pick the pigmentation of my pen carefully and ensure my handwriting is clear. I don’t joke with the little things. Excellence should be reflected in the content of your answers and the presentation of your answers. This may look like it doesn’t matter, but you may never know. It might be the subconscious difference between a 69 and a 70, especially for non-quantitative courses where your grade is highly dependent on the examiner’s judgement. Law is not a quantitative-based course where the answers are always clear and definite. I always seek to make both my answers and the presentation of my answers stand out. I don’t stress my examiners.  I don’t leave things to chance.

I did not emphasize the fact that I studied a lot because it is a given, and I know it’s something you already know. I intentionally decided to focus on things people don’t often mention. I studied every day and studied at every opportunity. You must study and study hard. Be curious, be excellent, and be sound. The race to a first class is embedded in a commitment to studying, continuous growth and learning, and never giving up in the face of challenges. It’s a long-term game with real ups and downs, and you have to commit to being consistent. It involves a resolve to show up every day whether you feel like it or not and to give it what it takes for the number of years it will take.

Having the right set of friends is also very important. I had amazing friends in school, and we are still friends to date. They have been shoulders to lean on and support systems in times of weakness. So, seek out like-minded friends, you need them. If you are currently in law school, or going to law school soon, I dare say you need them even more. Law school is quite a grueling journey, and it’s not one to be taken in isolation.

Regarding my reaction when I saw that I had made a First Class from law school, I was speechless! I was excited, I was glad, I was relieved, and I was thankful. Law school results are released at midnight, so I didn’t scream. I just went on my knees and thanked God for his faithfulness. I then proceeded to wake my mum up, as I couldn’t keep the news till morning. I started informing my friends too. I didn’t sleep throughout that night as I was very excited. Relieving it is just as exciting. Aiming for the best is often worth the effort.

4. Were your parents always supportive of you studying Law? How did your parents feel about your double first-class record?

My parents were very happy about my double first-class record. I am glad I made them proud, they deserve it. My parents have always been supportive of me. They were aware of all my grades from the beginning of my university journey until the end. They knew I was chasing a first-class. We rejoiced over the As together and felt the sting of the Bs together. My mum has always been praying for me. I could share the challenges I was having with her. I did not achieve the feat alone. We were all in this together. They are very glad my efforts paid off.

5. What are the challenges you have faced so far in your career as a woman?

So far, I do not think I have faced any ‘woman-specific’ challenges. I have faced each day as it comes and have never given myself the choice to wallow in self-pity because I’m a woman. I think that I’ll say, though I don’t see this as a challenge, that I have had to conduct myself in ways that will leave no room for any form of gender-based harassment. It’s something one must be extra careful about in this part of the world.

6. What’s your take on having mentors? How important are they for the advancement of an individual’s career?

Most times, those who will go far will stand on the shoulders of giants. A quote by Jim Rohn – an American entrepreneur and author, says, “The greatest sign of success is not talent, but focus, hard work, and perseverance. And a great mentor.” Mentors have been very helpful in my journey. I had a great mentor through university and law school. I have benefited greatly from mentorship in many areas of my life. I believe mentors are a must-have.

7. It’s the age of AI. As a lawyer who is passionate about technology, what measures are you taking to incorporate AI into your work?

I believe the greatest tool of a lawyer is his/her intellect. A very smart person will likely make a sound lawyer. So, I still rely a lot on my creativity and intellect while I use AI for non-law-related things, like random questions and quick information in my everyday life. I think it would be great to have AI tools trained on Nigeria/Africa-specific legislation, as this would be very useful for my work, and for African lawyers in general. We don’t have a perfect AI solution for law in Africa yet, though I know some are in the works. I look forward to the impact technologies like Case Rader would make on legal practice in Africa.

8. If you didn’t study Law, what other course would you have studied?

Hmm. It would have had to be something quite interesting and challenging, so maybe I would have studied medicine. I’m always up for a challenge. I believe I would have found medicine fascinating.

9. Can you name the women who inspire and motivate you?

My mum, as well as all the women around me, continue to inspire me. I would rather not mention names for fear of leaving anyone out. I am thankful to be surrounded by incredible women whom I have the honour and privilege to look up to.

10. Describe a typical working day in your life

My workplace adopts a hybrid work structure. Some days are physical working days, while others are ‘work from home’. I’ll describe a day I’m working from the office. I wake up early, have my devotion, and prepare for work. Upon arrival at work, I exchange pleasantries with colleagues and settle into work.

Work could include conducting due diligence, drafting or reviewing agreements, drafting court processes, representing clients in court, attending meetings, proffering legal opinions, or general legal advisory.

I work long hours, typical of a young lawyer in a fast-paced environment. I often leave the office in the evening. At home, I have dinner, prepare for the next day, and see a movie or gist with friends. Sometimes, I do all of these, and then I go to bed.

11. Last words and advice for a woman reading this

Have faith. All things are possible to she who believes.