There are several associations and organizations in Obafemi Awolowo University that aim to develop students’ skills and capabilities. While some of them are still in the process of achieving these goals, some have surpassed expectations.
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One such organization is the Moot and Mock Committee of the Faculty of Law, also known as the IFELAW Moot and Mock Committee. This advocacy group for law students trains and equips them with crucial skills such as legal research, advocacy, persuasive argumentation, and critical thinking. Through participating in national and international competitions, members of this committee have honed their skills, brought victories to the school and Nigeria, and had the opportunity to travel the world. Countries visited by members include Albania, India, Kenya, Ghana, and the Gambia.
The committee has established a solid reputation in Nigeria and is currently on an unbeaten streak lasting for about a year. Some of its notable wins are listed below:
- Africa Gender Equality Competition (Kenya): The Ifelaw Moot Committee opened the year 2023 in a very spectacular manner. Out of 64 teams from all across Africa who participated in this competition, OAU was able to make it to the finals which were held in Nairobi, Kenya. At the end of the whole competition, the team, represented by Blessing Nwankwo and Akinwumi Akinyemi, emerged as the overall second-best throughout the continent and also won one of the prizes for best oralist.
- Dauda Jawara International Human Rights Competition (Gambia): Many African universities participated in this competition, including Team OAU who travelled to Banjul, Gambia and conquered all other teams, emerging as the overall African champions and also clinching the prize for best oralist.
- Manfred Lachs International Space Law Competition (South Africa): This competition is a prestigious international competition, held every year in honour of a famous European Judge by the name of Manfred Lachs. Team OAU, represented by Blessing Nwankwo and Akinwumi Akinyemi, emerged overall second place in Nigeria, which qualifies them to proceed to the next rounds to be held in South Africa, and the finals in Milan, Italy.
- Christof Heynes African Moot Competition (Ghana): This is a famous legal competition held in honour of Mr. Christof Heynes. Held in Accra, Ghana, team OAU which Shado Olayinka and Akinpelu Akinyinka represented was able to achieve a team rating of 72.3%
- Meta X Unilag Competition: This competition was organized by Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta (formerly Facebook) in conjunction with the University of Lagos. Team OAU, represented by Inioluwa Olaposi and Oluduro Samuel, competed alongside 14 other universities from across the nation. Ultimately, we not only emerged as overall winners, we also clinched the award for best oralist yet again.
- University Of Nigeria National Advocacy Competition: Team OAU competed against other top universities in Nigeria, and emerged as the overall winner in the finals which was in the form of a corporate presentation on how to grow the stability of the Nigerian currency.
All these victories are testaments to the sheer hard work and dedication that define the Moot and Mock Committee of Ifelaw.
The Committee is currently being led by two vibrant and phenomenal ladies, Blessing Nwankwo and Oluwadamilola Ekundayo and their administration plans to bring even more trophies and victories home, cementing the legacy that the Committee is known for. The committee can be officially contacted for further enquiries or any form of sponsorship via ifelawmootandmockcommittee@gmail.com.