In Nigeria, going to tell your parents that you want to go to school to study acting or music is a futile mission. For most Nigerian parents, the plan for their children is to go to school to study something “practical” before going ahead to do whatever it is they want to do with the rest of their lives.
Because of this, many people you meet in Nigeria even the people who work in the highest level creative jobs and the people who’ve become our most popular celebrities – they all tend to have very “practical” degrees and one of such practical degrees that is very rampant amongst most creative people is the law degree.
1. Kanayo O. Kanayo
On September 15, 2020, Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, Esq, MFR popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo surprised fans with the very exciting news that he had been called to the bar at the age of 58. The actor had always wanted to go back to school and secure his law degree which he finally did in 2020.
2. Kemi Adetiba
Prolific Nollywood filmmaker Kemi Adetiba has a law degree from the University of Lagos, Akoka. She was called to bar after finishing her one year at Nigerian Law School.
3. Kelechi Amadi-Obi
Celebrity photographer Kelechi Amadi-Obi who is also the publisher of Mania Magazine is a graduated lawyer from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He was called to bar in 1993.
4. Funke Akindele-Bello
Funke Akindele-Bello went to Lagos University to study law but before she even graduated, the world of entertainment already started calling her. After her graduation, Funke didn’t even attempt to go to law school because she knew what she wanted to do after her graduation and it was not to practice law.
5. Omawumi
Popular singer, Omawumi is a law graduate of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State. After her time in school, she worked briefly at her brother’s firm OS Megbele and Associates before eventually going on to compete in Idols West Africa where she got her big break and entered into music full time.
Read: Biography of Chief Wole Olanipekun, OFR, SAN
6. Femi Adebayo
Nigerian actor Femi Adebayo studied law at Ilorin University, Kwara before receiving a masters degree in performing arts. After his graduation, Femi actually practiced the law for a few years specializing in real estate law. Eventually, he got his big break in the Yoruba movie business and has been doing that ever since.
7. Sasha P
Nigerian rapper Sasha P is a graduate of law from the University of Lagos. After acquiring her degree, the prolific rapper went into music and fashion.
Funke Bucknor
Event planner Funke Bucknor actually studied law in the University of Lagos but she knew even then that was not where her heart was. After graduating and briefly working with St. Matthew Daniel and Balogun law firm, she went ahead to start her event planning company Zapphaire.
Read: 4 Principles to Becoming a Successful Lawyer
Folake Akindele-Coker
Fashion designer and daughter of Nigerian billionaire, Chief Akindele, Folake Akindele-Coker got her degree in law and a Master’s degree in petroleum law. She eventually left the law to focus on her love for fashion creating the Tiffany Amber Luxury Line in 1998.
10. Lolo
Omotunde Adebowale Davies popular known as Lolo or Lolo 1 is an OAP and actress. Before all of that though, Lolo went to school in Lagos State University, Ojo, where she studied law. She eventually practiced law for three years before leaving that career path to focus on radio and entertainment.
11. Richard Mofe-Damijo
Veteran actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo aka RMD got his first degree in theatre arts from the University of Benin. After that though, the actor returned to the University of Lagos in 1997 to obtain a law degree – something he had always wanted to do to fulfill his mother’s dream of him becoming a lawyer.
12. Lepacious Bose
Bose Osayemi popularly known as Lepacious Bose is another celebrity who also studied law. On her birthday, she posted pictures dawning her wig and gown honoring the hardwork and time she put into obtaining that law degree.
13. Tara Durotoye
Boss of the House of Tara, Tara Durotoye started her makeup business while studying law at the Lagos State University. Although she never went on to actually practice the law, she says that her knowledge of the law has helped her in managing her makeup and business affairs.
14. Falz
Nigerian rapper Falz has a very popular father Femi Falana who is one of Nigeria’s most respected lawyers. So when Falz went to the University of Reading, United Kingdom to study law, everybody thought that he would practice. However, music and acting eventually called out to him and now Falz is a very successful artiste.
15. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
TV personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu graduated from Abuja University with a law degree before going into the Big Brother house and doing other things with his life. Last year though, Ebuka returned to the court – well, televised court, where he alongside Justice Olusola Williams deliberate about cases on Judging Matters.
16. Kenneth Okonkwo
Veteran Nigerian actor, Kenneth Okonkwo is a lawyer and a politician who was born in Nsukka. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and later graduated with a Masters degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, Akoka.
17. Chude Jideonwo
A lawyer by training, Chude Jideonwo co-founded y!Naja, a Nigerian youth culture platform in August 2010. Chude Jideonwo is also the director and founder of RedSTRAT which has three arms; RedSTRAT Original Content, RedSTRAT Communications and The Future Project (organisers of the Prestigious Future Awards)
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