21/04/2026
The Chronicles of Barrister Olusegun Olawoyin (II): Legal Training, Practice and Professional Rise
Barrister (Hon.) Olusegun Oluwatoyin Mosobolaje Olawoyin’s journey into the legal profession followed a path shaped by discipline, exposure, and a deliberate effort to prepare him for independence early in life.
After his secondary education, he secured admission into the University of Jos in 1990 to study Law, having met the required entry standards.
At the institution, he pursued his academic training with focus, earning his LL.B degree in 1996.
That same year, he proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos campus, for his professional qualification.
He completed the programme in 1997 and was subsequently awarded the Barrister-at-Law (B.L).
In February 1998, he was formally called to the Nigerian Bar, marking his full entry into the legal profession.
His call to the Bar carried personal significance. It fulfilled a long-standing aspiration within his family, particularly for his father, the late Chief J.S. Olawoyin, whose own legal ambitions had been interrupted in the aftermath of the Treason Trial of Obafemi Awolowo involving Obafemi Awolowo.
The son’s qualification was widely seen as completing a path that had earlier been cut short.
Early Legal Training and Chamber Experience
Like many young lawyers, Olawoyin’s early years in practice were defined by mentorship and movement across law firms to gain broad experience.
His first exposure came in 1997 during his mandatory law office attachment at Ayo Olarenwaju & Co in Lagos, where he handled administrative and office management responsibilities.
The experience provided him with foundational knowledge of legal practice and law office operations.
Following his call to Bar, he undertook his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) between February and December 1998, serving with Tawo E. & Co in Lagos. There, his role focused on legal counselling, giving him early contact with client advisory work.
After completing his service year, he returned to Ayo Olarenwaju & Co, this time as Deputy Head of Chambers and Counsel between January and April 1999. He later moved to Ayanlaja Adesanya & Co, where he worked as Counsel from April 1999 to October 2000.
These transitions, all within Lagos, were part of a deliberate effort to gain exposure across different areas of legal practice and deepen his courtroom and advisory experience.
Return Home and Professional Consolidation
In 2000, Olawoyin returned to Kwara State, initially practicing briefly in Offa before relocating to Ilorin, which became his professional base.
He joined the chambers of Bayo Ojo & Co in November 2000 as an Associate and Counsel, a position he held until April 2004. Working under an established legal figure provided him with further structure and exposure to complex legal matters.
During this period, he was involved in a number of cases, including high-profile disputes such as the Odutola family will matter and Yisi Nigeria Limited vs. Trade Bank Plc. These cases brought him into contact with senior practitioners and helped sharpen his advocacy skills.
Colleagues describe this phase of his career as formative, placing him in situations that required both legal reasoning and strategic thinking.
Professional Engagement and Bar Activities
Beyond courtroom practice, Olawoyin became actively involved in the activities of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), particularly in Kwara State.
He played a role in efforts that led to the establishment of an NBA branch in Offa, expanding access to professional legal structures for practitioners in the area.
He was also involved in Bar politics and professional mobilization, contributing to the emergence of key national officers within the association, including support for the leadership bid of Bayo Ojo, who later became NBA President.
His participation earned him a leadership role as a National Executive Council representative for the Offa branch, reflecting his growing influence within professional circles.
Career Outlook
With years of practice across different chambers and exposure to diverse legal matters, Olawoyin built a reputation as a committed practitioner.
His career trajectory reflects steady growth through training, mentorship, and practical experience.
Like many lawyers of his generation, he has also expressed the long-term professional ambition of attaining the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the highest distinction at the Bar.
To be continued…
