In a momentous achievement, two teams from the Faculty of Law at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, have been honored by the University management for their exceptional performances in two prestigious international moot court competitions. The students’ victories have significantly raised the university’s profile on the global stage.
The teams showcased their legal understanding at the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition and the 31st Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot 2024. Their success was celebrated on Monday, July 29, 2024, at a reception held on the 10th floor of the Senate House, hosted by Vice-Chancellor Professor, Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, and her team.
Accompanied by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Ige Bolodeoku, the triumphant teams shared their experiences with the university management. Oreoluwa Adejumo, Team Lead and President of The Mooting Society recounted their journey to the finals, competing against over 150 universities worldwide after surpassing a challenging pool of more than 700 institutions in the group stages. Adejumo expressed gratitude for the university’s support, stating, “The competitions allowed us to demonstrate our strength and academic prowess, resulting in our winning ‘The King and Spalding Spirit of Jessup Award.'”
The teams were lauded by competition organizers for their camaraderie, academic excellence, and professional conduct. Vice-Chancellor Ogunsola praised the students’ diligence and the quality of education provided by the UNILAG Law Faculty, saying, “Your triumphs are a testament to the Faculty’s dedication to your academic excellence and to your own hard work and determination. Keep it up!”
The UNILAG team for the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition included Adejumo Oreoluwa, Anyama Chimdumebi Henry, Okoli Chukwudifu Jason, Adegunju Oluwatomilade, and Adedayo Michael Alex, all members of the university’s Mooting Society. They emerged as national champions in Nigeria, earning the opportunity to represent the country at the White and Case International Rounds in Washington, D.C., where they received a $1,000 award and the “Flag of Flag,” symbolizing the true spirit of Jessup.
Representing UNILAG at the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot 2024 were Chidera Okoro, Betty Elikwu, Gloria Alonge, Ifeoluwa Aruwajoye, Oluwatoyin Salami, and Susana Oladejo, all members of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Society, UNILAG. Their coaching team included Okikenna Osele, Adedoyin Adepetu, Moyinoluwa Adewale, and Muhammad Hayat Faisal.
The Vis team began their journey in September 2023 with the Memorial Writing stage and claimed victory at the 3rd East African Vis Pre-moot in Nairobi, Kenya, in February 2024, defeating Strathmore University in the final. They advanced to the global competition in Vienna, Austria, in March 2024, reaching the Round of 64 and becoming the first West African team to achieve this milestone.