In an era where law must adapt to the fast-paced realities of technology, human rights, and gender justice, one name consistently stands out. Professor Foluke Dada-Lawanson, a distinguished scholar and practitioner with over three decades of impact in academia, advocacy, and professional service.
A Professor of Law and Dean of the College of Law at Caleb University, Lagos, Professor Dada-Lawanson’s journey reflects both depth and versatility. From her academic foundation at Obafemi Awolowo University to earning advanced degrees, including a Doctor of Juridical Science (Health Law & Policy) and an LL.M. from Loyola University, Chicago, she has built a formidable reputation grounded in excellence. Her training also spans the Nigerian Law School, Lewisham College (UK), and certifications in information technology, making her a rare bridge between law and emerging disciplines.
Her professional development is equally impressive. She is a Chartered Arbitrator, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Mediators and Conciliators, Fellow of the Forensic Investigators Society of Nigeria, and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Consultants, among others. These affiliations underscore her passion for dispute resolution, governance, and professional integrity.
As Dean, she has not only led academic initiatives but also expanded opportunities for law students through grants, law clinics, and the establishment of a Human Rights & Technology Centre. Her leadership emphasizes practical learning, from moot courts to community lawyering and drafting commercial agreements, preparing the next generation of lawyers for modern challenges.
Her service to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is long and notable: former Second Vice President (2018–2020), past Chair of NBA Ado-Ekiti Branch (2016–2018), Vice-Chair (2012–2014), current Chair of the Lawyers in Academia Forum, and Alternate Chair of the Lagos Bar Journal. She also served as Council Member of the NBA Women’s Forum and led its Advocacy Committee. Today, she continues to shape conversations within and beyond the Bar, including as Chair of the 2025 FIDA Law Week Committee.
Beyond the profession, Professor Dada-Lawanson is the Founder and President of Tikvah Initiatives for Women & Children, a registered NGO advancing grassroots development and advocacy for vulnerable groups.
Her areas of expertise ranging from arbitration and mediation to family law, gender rights, human rights, and technology law reflect her multidisciplinary influence. A mentor, researcher, and cultural connoisseur, she has supervised numerous doctoral dissertations and continues to shape legal thought in Nigeria and abroad.
For many, Professor Foluke Dada-Lawanson is not just an academic or lawyer she is a symbol of what it means to blend scholarship, advocacy, and leadership in service of justice and society.
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