Her work as dean will continue to build on the College of Law’s strong reputation for excellence in legal education and research, while strengthening its leadership in Indigenous legal scholarship and engagement with local and global communities.”

Odumosu-Ayanu will succeed Martin Phillipson, who completed two five-year terms as dean and began administrative leave on July 1.

From Lagos to Canada Although she initially considered pursuing communications, encouragement from her teachers and support from her parents led her towards law.

By the end of secondary school, she had decided to study law and enrolled at the University of Lagos, where she earned her Bachelor of Laws degree.

She later moved to Canada to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Calgary, drawn by its research strengths in natural resources, energy and environmental law.

“Since I started law school, I always knew that I wanted to do a master’s and to do one abroad. But I always thought I would go to England.”

She had initially planned to return to Nigeria after completing her master’s degree and work as a lawyer. Instead, she continued her academic journey by pursuing a PhD at the University of British Columbia.

She said she had not initially intended to pursue a doctorateAfter completing her PhD, Odumosu-Ayanu began considering a career in academia and interviewed for academic positions.

She moved to Saskatchewan in 2008 to join the College of Law. A mentor at the University of British Columbia who grew up in Saskatoon had advised her to prepare for the Canadian winter.