Olamide Mojigbotoluwa Ehinfun-Adekunle has become Nigeria’s youngest female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), earning the prestigious legal distinction at the age of 40.
The legal practitioner was among 68 lawyers and legal academics sworn in as Senior Advocates of Nigeria by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday, October 12, 2026, during the opening of the 2026/2027 legal year.
Her elevation marks a significant milestone in her legal career and places her among the women making notable strides in Nigeria’s legal profession. Four women were among the newly elevated practitioners.
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) had approved the elevation of the 68 successful applicants at its 174th plenary session held on July 23, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Educational Background and Early Life
Born on June 25, 1986, in Kaduna State, Ehinfun-Adekunle hails from Ijero-Ekiti in Ekiti State, southwestern Nigeria.
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Her academic journey into the legal profession began at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, where she studied law and obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree between 2003 and 2009.
She subsequently attended the Nigerian Law School from 2009 to 2010 before proceeding to the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, where she obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in International Trade Law between 2011 and 2012.
She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the United Kingdom, a professional affiliation that complements her experience in arbitration and commercial dispute resolution.
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Career at Afe Babalola & Co.
Before joining Afe Babalola & Co. in September 2013, Ehinfun-Adekunle worked at D. D. Dodo & Co. and the Nuhu Ribadu Campaign Organisation.
She later rose to become a partner at Afe Babalola & Co., also known as Emmanuel Chambers, where she has built a legal practice spanning litigation, commercial dispute resolution and advisory services.
Her areas of specialisation include complex litigation, oil and gas, arbitration, election petitions, transactional law, regulatory compliance and commercial disputes.
Throughout her career, she has also appeared before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria, gaining experience in cases handled by the country’s highest judicial institutions.
Her elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria recognises her professional standing and places her among practitioners admitted to the prestigious Inner Bar.
Childhood Interest in Law
Ehinfun-Adekunle’s interest in law reportedly began during her childhood, influenced by her natural inclination to speak and engage in discussions.
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According to accounts of her early life, her parents described her as talkative, a characteristic also reflected in her primary school reports.
Stories shared by her father about politics in the old Western Region and the legal career of the renowned Nigerian jurist, Chief Rotimi Williams, popularly known as “Timi the Law”, further inspired her interest in the legal profession.
These early influences helped shape her aspirations and contributed to her decision to pursue a career in law.
Over the years, several prominent figures have also influenced her professional journey, including Aare Afe Babalola, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Kehinde Ogunwumiju and Pastor R. A. Ogunwole.
Concerns Over Delays in Nigeria’s Justice System
Beyond her courtroom practice, Ehinfun-Adekunle has expressed concerns about challenges confronting Nigeria’s justice system, particularly delays in the administration of justice and the financial burden of prolonged litigation.
Lengthy court proceedings can impose significant costs on individuals, families and businesses, while also delaying the resolution of disputes and limiting access to timely justice.
Her views reflect broader concerns within the Nigerian legal community about the need to improve the efficiency of judicial processes, reduce avoidable delays and make dispute resolution more accessible.
For businesses, especially those involved in commercial transactions, oil and gas and other complex sectors, timely resolution of disputes is essential to maintaining confidence and reducing financial uncertainty.
Her experience in litigation, arbitration and commercial dispute resolution places her within the professional community engaging with these challenges.
A Milestone for Women in Nigeria’s Legal Profession
Ehinfun-Adekunle’s emergence as Nigeria’s youngest female SAN at 40 represents a notable achievement in a profession where attaining the rank requires years of legal practice, professional distinction and demonstrated excellence.
Her elevation alongside 67 other practitioners also highlights the continued development of Nigeria’s legal profession and the growing visibility of women in senior legal positions.
As she assumes the responsibilities associated with the prestigious rank, her professional journey stands as an example of the role that education, experience, mentorship and sustained commitment can play in building a successful legal career.
Her achievement adds a new chapter to the history of women in Nigerian law and brings renewed attention to the contributions of female practitioners to advocacy, commercial practice and the administration of justice.
