Nigerian-born law professor, Dr Ibironke Odumosu-Ayanu, has been appointed Dean of the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, in another major milestone in her distinguished academic career.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, congratulated Odumosu-Ayanu on the appointment, describing it as a remarkable achievement and a source of pride for Nigeria and Nigerians in the diaspora.
Dabiri-Erewa said the appointment underscored the calibre of Nigerian professionals making significant contributions to global education, research and leadership.
She commended Odumosu-Ayanu for her contributions to legal scholarship, research and graduate education, noting that her journey from Lagos to a senior leadership position at a Canadian university exemplified the excellence, dedication and resilience of Nigerians in the diaspora.
“Dr Ibironke Odumosu-Ayanu’s appointment is a remarkable achievement and another testament to the excellence of Nigerians in the diaspora. Her journey from Lagos to the University of Saskatchewan reflects years of scholarship, dedication and leadership,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
She added that Nigeria was proud of the accomplishment, wishing the professor a successful tenure and greater impact in legal education, research and global academic leadership.
Odumosu-Ayanu will begin her five-year tenure as Dean on October 1, 2026, succeeding Professor Martin Phillipson, who completed two five-year terms.
The University of Saskatchewan announced her appointment on September 1, following a selection process chaired by Patti McDougall, Interim Provost and Vice-President, Academic.
McDougall described Odumosu-Ayanu as an academic with a distinguished record of excellence, collaborative leadership and commitment to advancing research and graduate education.
According to the university, her tenure is expected to build on the College of Law’s reputation for excellence in legal education and research, while further strengthening its leadership in Indigenous legal scholarship and engagement with local and global communities.
Born and raised in Lagos, Odumosu-Ayanu obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Lagos before moving to Canada, where she earned a master’s degree from the University of Calgary.
She later obtained a PhD from the University of British Columbia, with her academic interests shaped in part by research strengths in natural resources, energy and environmental law.
Odumosu-Ayanu joined the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 2008 and has since risen through the ranks of the institution. She currently serves as Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.
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Dabiri-Erewa said the professor’s achievement further demonstrated the global impact of Nigerians through knowledge, expertise and professional excellence.
She urged Odumosu-Ayanu to remain an inspiration to young Nigerians at home and abroad.
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