Babcock’s Daniella Okangba Wins Big with Five Awards at Nigerian Law School Call to Bar Ceremony

Daniella Okangba of Babcock University earned five prestigious awards at the Nigerian Law School Call to Bar ceremony, marking a major achievement.

Daniella Okangba has made headlines as a standout graduate of Babcock University, earning five prestigious awards at the 2025 Nigerian Law School (NLS) Call to Bar ceremony, including third place nationwide for overall academic performance.

The ceremony, held in Abuja, marked a historic moment with 5,728 new lawyers—Nigeria’s largest-ever cohort—officially called to the Bar.

Okangba, who earned First Class Honours from both Babcock University and the NLS, received the following distinctions:

• Justice Olujide Shomolu Prize – Best Student in Civil Litigation
• Mr. D.D. Dodo Prize – Best Female Student in Civil Litigation
• Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar Prize – Best Female in Civil Litigation
• Chief T.O.S. Benson Prize – Third Best Overall Student
• First Class Honours Award

“This has been a long-time dream come true. I worked consistently and stayed focused. With discipline, the right mindset, and God’s help, excellence is within reach,” she shared.

She attributed her success to a disciplined study routine that included daily preparation, collaborative group study, and observance of Sabbath rest in line with her Seventh-Day Adventist beliefs. Formerly named Best Graduating Student (BGS) at Babcock, she added, “Once a BGS, always a BGS.”

Acknowledging her academic foundation, Okangba praised Babcock’s Faculty of Law, singling out the support of Professors Dorcas Odunaoke and Olanrewaju for helping students prepare thoroughly for the NLS curriculum.

Currently working with Lagos-based law firm Banwo & Ighodalo, Daniella is already charting a future that includes postgraduate studies at an Ivy League university, a career in academia, a pursuit of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title, and possibly, public service.

“They already call me ‘Prof. SAN.’ With God, I believe I’ll live up to that name,” she said with a smile.

To aspiring lawyers, her advice is clear: “Set your sights high, trust God, and don’t relent. ‘Impossible’ is not in the vocabulary.”

Reacting to her achievements, Babcock University’s President/Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ademola Tayo, expressed pride:
“Daniella and her peers have made us proud. Their success marks the beginning of even greater accomplishments.”

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, GUARDIAN