Nigerian-born law professor, Dr Ibironke Odumosu-Ayanu, has been appointed Dean of the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada.
Odumosu-Ayanu will assume the position on October 1, 2026, for an initial five-year term.
She currently serves as the College of Law’s Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies and has been a member of the university’s law faculty since 2008.
The university announced her appointment on September 1 in a statement issued by its Interim Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Patti McDougall, who also chaired the search committee.
McDougall described Odumosu-Ayanu as an accomplished academic whose appointment reflects her record of scholarship, collaborative leadership and commitment to research and postgraduate education.
She added that the new dean would build on the College of Law’s reputation in legal education and research while strengthening its work in Indigenous legal scholarship and engagement with communities in Canada and around the world.
Odumosu-Ayanu will succeed Martin Phillipson, who completed two five-year terms as dean before proceeding on administrative leave on July 1.
From Lagos to Canada
Odumosu-Ayanu was raised in Lagos, Nigeria, where she developed an early passion for reading and writing.
Although she initially considered studying communications, encouragement from her teachers and support from her parents influenced her decision to pursue a career in law.
She subsequently enrolled at the University of Lagos, where she obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree.
She later moved to Canada to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Calgary. Her interest was particularly drawn to the institution’s research strengths in natural resources, energy and environmental law.
Odumosu-Ayanu had initially planned to return to Nigeria after completing her master’s degree and practise as a lawyer. However, she eventually continued in academia and pursued a PhD at the University of British Columbia.
She acknowledged that obtaining a doctorate was not part of her original plan, saying her initial ambition had been to complete a master’s degree abroad and return home.
Her academic career has since developed into an internationally recognised body of work, particularly in business and human rights.
Her appointment as dean marks another milestone in her academic career and highlights the growing contributions of Nigerian scholars to higher education and research internationally.
