From Second Class In Nigeria to Becoming Best Graduating Law Student in a World Best Varsity

Cursory: Nelson Madiba-Onuoha, a brilliant Nigerian who graduated with Distinction in International Trade and Investment Law at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, tells GODFREY GEORGE how he achieved the feat. See his story below.

You graduated with a Distinction in International Trade and Investment Law at the University of Pretoria. Did you see such feat coming?

I can’t quite say. My drive is always to do my best, to be committed and drawn to excellence in anything I set out to do while enjoying the journey and not necessarily about the destination. It was not different in my participation in the LLM programme.

I simply just set out to enjoy every bit of it whilst learning all I could and building lasting relationships with my amazing classmates who were all top lawyers and individuals competitively selected across over 10 African countries. For me, it was all about taking it one day at a time. I believe that once you pursue excellence consistently, success will follow as the night follows the day.

Where did you get your First degree?

I had my Bachelor of Laws at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

Did you make a First Class in your LL.B?

No, I didn’t, but I graduated at the top of my LLB class receiving a number of academic excellence awards/recognitions, and I received a National Prize for academic excellence in Corporate Law Practice at the Nigerian Law School.

Was it disappointing for you when you saw your LL.B result?

To be honest, I would have definitely loved to have graduated with a First Class in my LL.B programme, but I wasn’t particularly disappointed that I didn’t.

I was somewhat enthralled at the fact that I had developed into a critical-minded and deeply analytical lawyer committed to excellence; these are qualities that can get lawyers far in the legal profession or other professional endeavours once they apply themselves.

Why did you choose to do your LL.M in S’Africa?

I never particularly set out to do my LLM programme in South Africa. However, I was drawn to the International Trade and Investment Law in Africa LLM programme being offered by the University of Pretoria.

Furthermore, I have always had a sentimental attachment to South Africa; the diversity of its people and culture, and how the nation resiliently withstood trying times in its history to become one of the fastest developing countries in Africa and the Global South.

Additionally, my father had named me after Nelson Mandela considering I was born within the period Mandela was elected as South Africa’s first black president. Mandela remains my biggest icon and model of what it means to have lived a fulfilling life.

Why did you choose International Trade and Investment Law?

This is because of its unique offerings of intellectual rigour and interdisciplinary course delivery. It comprises eclectic modules in International Law, Finance and Economics with tutors drawn from both the academia and top international organizations including the World Trade Organisation, World Bank, African Continental Development Bank, Afrexim Bank etcetera.

International Trade and Investment is perhaps the most significant cog in the wheel of socio-economic development of any nation, particularly in Africa.Furthermore, the current implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement – the largest Free Trade Area, makes it very desirable for African lawyers to build capacity and competence in International Trade and Investment Law.

How will you grade your stay at the University of Pretoria?

It was great. The University of Pretoria is perhaps one of the best universities in the world and arguably the best University in Africa. The facilities were top-notch, and the system was very well set up.

The University of Pretoria is the 450th Word Best University. It’s the 4th in the Continent and South Africa.

Webometrics 2023 Ranking

What were some of the things you found shocking when you got to South Africa?

I would say I had a bit of a culture shock because metropolitan South Africans have very a similar way of life to the West. The dressing, manner of speaking and general pop culture was very different from what is typically obtainable in Nigeria.

I was also marvelled by the different, yet quite similar indigenous languages and how diverse the people (the Zulus, Xhosas, Pedis, etcetera) were. Of course, there is the music and dancing! Oh my! I love the Amapiano beats and how South Africans love to dance! It’s a dancing country really.

How were you able to withstand the pressure that came with being in a new environment?

It was very challenging, to be honest, in terms of finances, the weather and just generally adapting to a whole new system. Again, COVID-19 was still very rife, and I had to deal with various restrictions. But then, resilience is a quality I have been able to build all these years.

I always like to look beyond current challenges and focus on eventual opportunities. Again, I had the very strong support of family, friends, and amazing classmates. I am a fun person, and I always engaged in lots of extracurricular activities which helped ease the pressure.

Do you have a study pattern?

I am a very curious person by nature. I love general knowledge. So, I always see studying as an exciting and enjoyable thing to do. When I study, I don’t doso because I want to pass an exam or get good grades. I study because I want to know it, and I want to critique and analyse it.

This makes studying easy for me and that is why I actually hardly forget anything I have studied. Again, there were many interesting and new concepts that formed part of the LLM study package, and I was only too happy to intensively pour through these materials.

What were some of the things you made sure you never did while on campus?

Well, I always made sure I didn’t get pressured by anything. I always made sure my attitude to everything was positive.

What were some gifts you were given when you made Distinction? Did you receive the three full academic prizes for the department?

Yes. For the very first time in the history of the LLM, International Trade and Investment Programme at the University of Pretoria, I received three full academic Prizes as Best Student in Advanced International Trade Law, Best Student in Advanced International Investment Law.

How did you handle xenophobia in S’Africa?

To a very large extent, I cannot remember any direct incident where I experienced Xenophobia because I lived within the school environment which was filled with progressive-minded, cordial and warm people. However, I observed palpable friction between South Africans and other African immigrants which I found entirely unpleasant considering that as Africans, we all share the same heritage, and we should be collaborating rather than segregating.

What do you plan to do now that you have your Master’s?

I intend to go back to legal practice and apply all my newly acquired skills, knowledge and networks toward improving and furthering my career as a legal practitioner. I also intend to pursue further studies in the near future by doing another Master’s preferably in Business Administration, and eventually a PhD programme.

What makes you so fulfilled at this point in your life?

Motivating and supporting the people around me to succeed and grow in all aspects of their lives. My greatest feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment is when somebody tells me that they have achieved a certain thing and that I played a part, no matter how small, in attaining that achievement.

What advice do you have for other students who want to be like you?

I would say, don’t be like me. Be the best version of yourself. Always believe in your capabilities and abilities to excel in whatever you do, and never ever back down.

What is your best motivational quote?

My best motivational quote is from Martin Luther King Jr. on the need for pursuing excellence in all endeavors. It goes thus, “Even if a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep the streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry.

He should sweep the streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’” This quote has always been the driving force for me all my life and it is something I always ponder before I embark on any venture.

Source: The Punch

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