A brilliant Nigerian man, Michael Odugbemi, has earned a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Research from the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada. His remarkable achievement was made possible through a fully funded scholarship.
Michael’s story is one of faith, perseverance, and academic excellence, showing how belief and hard work can turn dreams into reality.
Micheal's Story and How He Did It
His journey began in Nigeria, where he graduated from Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B). He went on to the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to the Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
After a few years of building experience in legal practice, Michael began preparing for graduate studies abroad. But the process did not come easily. “I still remember writing a letter to myself on January 28, 2020,” he recalled.
“In one paragraph, I wrote, ‘Congratulations on winning a fully funded scholarship for your Master of Laws in the United States of America.’ At the time, I had no idea how it would happen, but every morning I would read those words, confess them, and pray,” Michael said.
Despite moments of doubt, he kept believing. His persistence paid off in 2024, when he received his admission and scholarship offer from Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law — a letter that felt like the “congratulatory note” he had written to himself four years earlier.
Michael was awarded two of the university’s most prestigious scholarships, the Schulich School of Law Scholarship and the Law Foundation Awards, which fully covered his tuition and provided monthly stipends.
“Being accepted and awarded a full scholarship on my very first graduate school application, and one of only two schools I applied to, was truly God’s blessing,” he said with gratitude.
Throughout his master’s journey, Michael was mentored by some of the finest legal scholars. He credited Professor Camille Cameron, K.C., his supervisor, for her dedication and insightful feedback that shaped his research and strengthened his academic growth.
He also expressed appreciation to his professors for their guidance and opportunities to serve as a Research Assistant during his studies.
Michael’s LL.M thesis, titled “Leveraging ESG for Access to Justice: Reimagining Third Party Funding for Public Interest Litigation,” explored how corporations can promote access to justice by supporting public interest litigation through a corporate-led Third Party Funding (TPF) model.
His research challenges the traditional profit-driven perspective of TPF and proposes a new ESG-based framework that prioritizes social value and corporate responsibility.
He expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who played a role in his success, from his former law firm, KENNA Partners, which laid the foundation for his professional development, to his professors, mentors, and friends who guided him through the scholarship process.
Most importantly, he dedicated the achievement to his beloved wife and family, whose love and support made the journey possible.
“Looking back, I can only say God is faithful,” he wrote. “This achievement is not just mine; it belongs to everyone who believed in me.”
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