On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Nigeria, formally launched a groundbreaking joint Master of Laws (LL.M.) programme with the University of Dundee (UoD), Scotland. It is a partnership years in the making, refined and shaped into what the UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, described as a “truly equitable partnership,” a new model of academic collaboration between Africa and Europe.
A New, Fair Pathway to Global Legal Expertise
The UNILAG–UoD joint LL.M. offers a refreshing and accessible structure for students seeking advanced legal training. Unlike traditional foreign programmes that uproot students completely, this model allows them to draw from the strengths of both institutions while keeping their academic foundation firmly rooted in Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Ogunsola acknowledged that the journey UNILAG and Dundee have embarked upon might seem daring to some. For her, it represents vision, understanding, and friendship. “It is actually the real equitable partnership,” she affirmed, expressing confidence that the benefits of this alliance will unfold meaningfully in the years ahead.
From the University of Dundee, Professor Peter McEleavy, University Academy Lead for Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasised the significance of the programme, noting that it is the first joint Master’s degree between a Nigerian and a UK institution. He reiterated the shared commitment to equality, describing the partnership as one built on cooperation, respect, and genuine accessibility for students.
Professor Dayo Ade, MNI, a professor of energy law at UNILAG and coordinator of the joint programme, echoed this sentiment. He highlighted the intensity and uniqueness of the curriculum and explained that the joint LL.M. contains robust elements not typically found in the university’s traditional LL.M. structure.
A Three-Phase Learning Experience Across Two Continents
The programme is structured in three deliberate stages.
- Foundation (UNILAG, 3 months): Students begin in Lagos where they build the core knowledge that anchors the programme.
- Advanced Training (UoD, 6 months): They proceed to Scotland for specialised, in-depth legal training in an international academic environment.
- Completion (UNILAG, 3 months): Students return to Lagos to complete and defend their dissertation, supervised jointly by faculty from both universities. This ensures their work remains relevant to African legal and developmental contexts.
By the end of the programme, students will have gained a rich combination of perspectives from the global north and the global south. This balanced intellectual exposure is essential for today’s legal landscape.
Looking ahead, Professor Ogunsola shared her long-term vision for the initiative. She hopes to see the partnership evolve to a point where students from the UK also travel to Nigeria to study and learn from the country’s legal system. “And I see it happening,” she noted with conviction.
A Launch Marked by Global Presence
The programme was unveiled during the 5th UNILAG International Week, a fitting platform for a collaboration that expands the university’s global reach.
Hosted by the British Council, Nigeria, the event brought together distinguished figures including:
- Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS (Vice-Chancellor, UNILAG)
- Professor Peter McEleavy (University Academy Lead for Sub-Saharan Africa, UoD)
- Jonny Baxter (British Deputy High Commissioner, Lagos)
- Donna McGowan (Country Director, British Council Nigeria)
They were joined by members of the UNILAG Management Team, faculty representatives, and staff of the British Council. Together, they celebrated a milestone that promises to transform legal education.
This partnership elevates both institutions on the global stage and provides Nigerian students with access to world-class legal training through a framework built on fairness and mutual respect.
Become Part of the Future of Global Law
For aspiring legal scholars, this is more than a postgraduate programme. It is a carefully designed bridge to a global career. It is an opportunity to study across continents, engage with diverse legal traditions, and develop the intellectual range required for international legal practice.
If you are ready to step into a future shaped by equity, excellence, and global collaboration, this joint LL.M. awaits you.
Apply today and take your place among the next generation of global legal pioneers.
Visit —> dundee.ac.uk/postgraduate/law-lagos to apply now! Or contact Ogunjinmi Itunu via [email protected] and +234 8143424851 to find out more.
Arthur: Nike Ogunshakin
Photographer: Ayomide Oloyede
